<p>Growing up on Chicago's South Side in a predominantly Black community, Kanye West understood the sacrifices he and his mom made to survive. Dr. Donda West taught at Chicago State University and often instilled in her only child confidence, pride and belief in how high he could reach.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-portrait-right>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-cf0000" name="image-cf0000"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium-3×4">
<source type="image/webp" width="375"
height="500"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f997b98/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1251×1668+625+0/resize/375×500!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe1%2Fd3%2F81f66a56465cada108b0b034e8a7%2Fye-essay-1-260903-06.png" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSI1MDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjM3NXB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="375"
height="500"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/77a2b99/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1251×1668+625+0/resize/375×500!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe1%2Fd3%2F81f66a56465cada108b0b034e8a7%2Fye-essay-1-260903-06.png" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSI1MDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjM3NXB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="Mary L. Datcher, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. " width="375" height="500"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/77a2b99/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1251×1668+625+0/resize/375×500!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe1%2Fd3%2F81f66a56465cada108b0b034e8a7%2Fye-essay-1-260903-06.png" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSI1MDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjM3NXB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Mary L. Datcher</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times</p></div></div>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p>At the very beginning of Chicago’s birth, a dinner table was built, and the meal was prepared by some of the greatest Chicago Black innovators: city founder and settler Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable built the table; publisher and writer Ida B. Wells wove a beautiful tablecloth; Chicago Defender publisher Robert Sengstacke Abbott brought the handcrafted chairs; Illinois Black Panther Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton Sr. brought fearlessness and civil rights leader Rev. Jesse L. Jackson kept hope alive for many future diners.</p><p>This table symbolized Black pride and became a cornerstone of Chicago, where writers, artists, faith leaders, grassroots organizers and political leaders had a place.</p><p>Ye lived through an era of independence and self-discovery, with the soundtrack of Chaka Khan, Curtis Mayfield and Earth, Wind & Fire. Often the lines are blurred between the streets and the lifestyle of the working man, where gangs divided up territory, police brutality was rampant and families were striving to put food on the table. But in the same neighborhoods, Black entrepreneurship flourished, and Harold Washington became the beacon of hope as Chicago's first Black mayor. Ye was shaped by this history; this became his classroom.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-5f0000" name="image-5f0000"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/add02c2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4256×2389+0+222/resize/490×275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F29%2F43%2F3c98275b4e78aff08a1f1b69a850%2F6-8-jackson-farragut-11.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8ca6b17/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4256×2389+0+222/resize/980×550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F29%2F43%2F3c98275b4e78aff08a1f1b69a850%2F6-8-jackson-farragut-11.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/67c7b91/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4256×2389+0+222/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F29%2F43%2F3c98275b4e78aff08a1f1b69a850%2F6-8-jackson-farragut-11.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="The 3rd Annual "Stay in School" event with Lupe Fiasco Common and Kanye West performing a mini concert at Farragut Career Academy at 2345 S. Christina." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/67c7b91/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4256×2389+0+222/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F29%2F43%2F3c98275b4e78aff08a1f1b69a850%2F6-8-jackson-farragut-11.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ec0e097/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4256×2389+0+222/resize/980×550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F29%2F43%2F3c98275b4e78aff08a1f1b69a850%2F6-8-jackson-farragut-11.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/67c7b91/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4256×2389+0+222/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F29%2F43%2F3c98275b4e78aff08a1f1b69a850%2F6-8-jackson-farragut-11.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>The third annual “Stay in School” event with Lupe Fiasco (from left) Kanye West and Common at Farragut Career Academy in June 2010.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Brian Jackson/Chicago Sun-Times</p></div></div>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p>To understand Ye, you must understand Black Chicago and the unapologetic diaspora of our history in a noticeably segregated city.</p><p>From the beginning of his music career, Ye has framed his challenges as triumphs, from his first hit, “Through the Wire,” to his Grammy Award-winning testimony in “Jesus Walks.” His music is infectious, from his famed Sunday Service to his billion-dollar Yeezy apparel empire. The ancestors built the table of opportunity, and Ye had a place at it.</p><div class="RichTextSidebarModule Enhancement" data-module data-align-center><a class="AnchorLink" id="module-470000" name="module-470000"></a>
<div class="RichTextModule-items RichTextBody"><h3><b>Ye’s Chicago legacy</b></h3>Ahead of this week’s nearly sold-out Soldier Field performances, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times asked three Black Chicagoans to reflect on the legacy of Ye (formerly Kanye West) in the city that helped shape him.<br><br>Arionne Nettles on <a class="Link" href="https://www.wbez.org/music/2026/09/02/ye-kanye-west-chicago-legacy-cultural-influence" target="_blank" ><u>the legacy of the ‘Old Kanye.’</u></a><br>Nile Lansana on <a class="Link" href="https://www.wbez.org/music/2026/09/02/ye-kanye-west-legacy-touch-the-sky-love-eroded" target="_blank" ><u>how his bulletproof love for Kanye has eroded</u></a></div>
</div><p>His albums mention Chicago, the beloved city that didn’t always support him earlier in his career but later became his biggest champion. Nearly 21 years later, he has sold 160 million albums worldwide. Ye’s success inspires Chicago Black youth who have traveled the same South Side streets, ridden the Red Line, and taken the Stony Island bus route.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-510000" name="image-510000"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1721392/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000×1684+0+196/resize/490×275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1b%2Fbf%2F1adc6a174fdaabf2f93c327f26f5%2Fgettyimages-74116668.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fa49234/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000×1684+0+196/resize/980×550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1b%2Fbf%2F1adc6a174fdaabf2f93c327f26f5%2Fgettyimages-74116668.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/720255c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000×1684+0+196/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1b%2Fbf%2F1adc6a174fdaabf2f93c327f26f5%2Fgettyimages-74116668.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="Dr. Donda West (R) and her son, hip-hop performer Kanye West attend a book signing for her book "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar" on May 9, 2007 at Borders in Los Angeles, California. " srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/720255c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000×1684+0+196/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1b%2Fbf%2F1adc6a174fdaabf2f93c327f26f5%2Fgettyimages-74116668.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e050156/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000×1684+0+196/resize/980×550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1b%2Fbf%2F1adc6a174fdaabf2f93c327f26f5%2Fgettyimages-74116668.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/720255c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000×1684+0+196/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1b%2Fbf%2F1adc6a174fdaabf2f93c327f26f5%2Fgettyimages-74116668.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>The loss of Dr. Donda West hit home for many Chicagoans who worked with her and saw how it affected her son, Mary L. Datcher writes. </p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Vince Bucci/Getty Images</p></div></div>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p>This generation also understands the complexities of mental health better than previous ones. Sadly, we’ve witnessed Ye’s own battle with mental health over the past few years. After his mother's passing in 2007, we understood she was his rock, his muse and his truth serum. This loss hit home for many Chicagoans who worked with Dr. West and saw how it affected her son. His relationships, social media outbursts and erratic behavior have been on full public display, raising the question: “Can we separate our love of his music from his personal ideologies?”</p><p>As a Black community, we wrestle with holding our public figures accountable while reserving the right to choose who to support and forgive. We cannot erase history, but we can move forward building a stronger table.</p><p>Ye still represents Chicago — the good, bad and ugly — a humanistic reflection of himself. Black Chicago hasn’t removed his place setting at the table. But if he chooses to go off course again — we will be forced to turn off the porch light.</p><p><i>Mary L. Datcher is a seasoned journalist, communications executive and political consultant with nearly three decades in music, media and entertainment, currently serving as vice president of communications at APS & Associates.</i></p>
There’s still room at Chicago’s table for Ye 2026
IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2026 2026-09-02 14:29:50
Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law
