John H. White’s name is synonymous with excellence in the field of photojournalism. A tireless teacher whose one manta “Keep In Flight” is infused in all aspects of his work and personal philosophy.
John was one of 28 staff photographers for the Chicago Sun-Times that was fired because, according to the new owner, John Ferro, the staff were akin to “…a carriage driver and the cars come and you’re really upset that you can’t have your buggy whip and hit your horse anymore.”
A gross and out of touch metaphor for the changing world of photojournalism that had already converted to digital photography years ago.
His solution? Give his reporters Iphones and let them let them fill the void created with the elimination of an entire department. Experience, integrity, ethics, all on the cutting block before the deal was even signed. A vast and powerful culture of photography, gone. One look at remains of the Sun-Times and all you see is a barren, gray lifeless husk. A wasteland of shortsightedness that no amount of arrogance can cover up.
In the middle of all that is John H. White, a Black man of quiet dignity and spiritual elegance who represented, along with the staff of the Chicago Sun-Times, decades of excellence in photojournalism. He exhorts colleagues and everyone he meets to “Keep in Flight” soar above those who don’t understand who you are, what you represent and keep following your dream and heart. That can never be taken away from you.
It was great talking to this man, even if it was just for a brief period of time during the En Foco - Dedicated to Cultural Diversity in Photography and the Lucie Foundation panel. It was through learning about him, that I come to find out that he was the mentor of someone who supported me when I was on my last legs as a photographer, close to 20 years ago, Michelle Agins, a brand new shooter for the New York Times, who, while working on the photo desk after being injured on the job, gave me freelance gigs to keep me afloat. It was through her and other photographers there, such as James Estrin and Suzanne DeChillo, that I was able to get my job at The Journal News and LoHud.
We in the Seis Del Sur know that experience intimately, serendipity. It demonstrates how wide one man or woman’s reach can have on people that they never met. Or how Los Seis gravitated to one another during this part of our journey.
Mr. White is now looking to “refuel” while in flight as he enters the next stage of his life. Yet, strangely, he manages to keep us in flight at the same time.
Mr. White, it was great flying beside you for a brief time.
Ricky Flores, October 29, 2013.
