My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

6 Feb 2008 Author: Baratunde Thurston (Jack Turner)

Update: Derrick has posted a response video

What a great video! Derrick and I went to college together and have worked on mad projects including the Sweet Mother Tour.

He’s a member of the award-winning band Soulfege, and clearly knows how to handle himself on camera. The interviewer clearly started off thinking he was gonna catch some uneducated Barack supported who connected only because of “emotion,” but Derrick made that interviewer look like a fool and all of us look good. He got waaaaay beyond the talking points and ultimately earned the respect of the interviewer.

Oh, and Derrick lives in California, so he was holding it down for black voters out there at least :)

Thanks to JJP commenter jstele for pointing this out. Enjoy.

Tags: 2008 Democratic Primary, 2008 Elections, Barack Obama

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faboomama
Yeah, he held it down. I must say, that when I attended the Obama rally on Sunday, I was amazed at how informed the Obama supporters were. People knew stuff, they understood the policies of all the candidates. Such a huge difference from some of the white women, I’ve read online who say, “I’m voting for Hillary because, she’s a woman. I’m not voting for Obama because, he’s too vague.”
CAB
I thought Obama supporters were crazy cultists! That’s what Talk Left tells me!
Anonymous
The interviewer seemed pretty hostile for a while –
it took him a while to figure out the guy’s really smart and informed.
I really can’t stand the way the media taints any win by Obama where he takes a huge majority of the black vote. I couldn’t watch the Tuesday coverage after a while – it was all about let’s break down the categories so we can get on script about racist latinos. I just hope there’s some backlash like there was with all those ridiculous stories about the heart wrenching decision facing black women in choosing b/t voting by race or gender.
The pundits are idiots – they make a huge deal about Georgia (“Oooh, that’s a BIG problem for Obama and his ability to get white votes!”). I mean, come on, did they just decide to ignore KS, ID, MN, CO, etc.?
BigAssBelle
who is that hostile jackass interview him? what a tool. arrogant, presumptive, condescending twit.
unfortunately, ALL of the candidates have it wrong on health care. and the interviewer has got to be a right wing shill, suggesting that healthcare costs $119 a month from blue cross. what an idiot. off topic, but my premium’s $768 a month for two.
NONE of the candidates have it right on this issue. until the insurance companies are OUT of the health care business, until the profit factor is removed, we are going to be dealing with this issue and the proposed solutions are not, i fear, going to be effective.
the thing i am most distressed about is the rethugs are tagging the insurance-for-all efforts of the dems as socialized medicine and welfare for healthcare. because i don’t think these methods CAN succeed, this will be taken as proof that healthcare for all CAN’T succeed.
remember that the rethugs don’t want us to have anything. ever.
bill kristol, right wing fuckhead tool and an architect of the iraq debacle and half of the bush disasters, insisted that the rethugs should KILL healthcare reform. KILL it. no compromise. kill it dead.
his theory was this: The success of the Clinton proposal, he warned, would “re-legitimize middle-class dependence for ‘security’ on government spending and regulation”, and “revive … the Democrats, as the generous protector of middle-class interests.”
sweet Jesus, i hate these right wing bastards. hate them.
Nichelle
Very interesting how the “reporter” was less interesting in interviewing than quizzing this man. Clearly he thought he nabbed a dumb n*gg** that didn’t know a damn thing about anything.
HA!
Well done Derrick. I must check out Soulfege!
icky
I want to watch the whole thing, but I can’t get past how obnoxious the “interviewer” is.
Anonymous
That “interviewer” was an ass and I don’t appreciate how he approached that brotha.
invisible_hand
holy shit.
derrick is the smartest person ever.
Wensley
Wensley said… I wonder who the interviewer was; he obviously approached Derrick thinking that he was just rooting for Obama because he’s black. I want this video publicized!!!
Derrick, I appreciate you for making all of us OBAMANITES proud!!!
OBAMA 08!!!!
S.G.E.W.
Now that is how you deal with the right-wing attack machine!
Derrick’s policy answers to this “interviewer” were precisely why I support Sen. Obama (even tho’ the Iraq vote never came up). The voluntary health care plan, the bipartisan legislative solutions, the electability argument: spot on.
Why, yes, Mr. Media Person. There are substantive policy differences, that I can explain to you in full detail. Ha!
Caribbean Lionesse
That interviewer definitely was hard to take at first – the condescension was just dripping out of his voice. But Ashong HELD IT DOWN – that was a pure joy to watch him incisively take apart the twit. And he was so unfailingly POLITE with the moron right through – more power to him because I know I would have been sorely tempted to tell that interviewer two bad words.
michelle
I HATED the interviewer. Do you have something other than an emotional response? Oh right we have to watch out when these Negroes get emotional and carried away.
Ohhh-I would have slapped him.
Props to Derrick for holding it-what? DOWN.
Anonymous
I’m disappointed that he’s against ‘socialized medicine’, but if he said he was for it, it likely would’ve given that interviewer (who was a jackass for half the interview) yet another way to interject. Otherwise good stuff.
BigAssBelle
i do hope Derrick will rethink his comment about voting for john mccain if obama doesn’t make the nomination. mccain will bush x 10, a complete disaster on every front. mccain is not a viable alternative to obama.
obama ’08. all the way.
Acanthus
“…here in Oran, uh, Los Angeles County.”
Of course, this was a right-winger out to make a black Obama supporter, and by extension all black Obama supporters. look bad.
Anderkoo
Can someone confirm who the interviewer is? A few people on YouTube were wondering if he’s an Obama plant, kind of set up as a ringer for a hostile reporter but in fact acting the part. (The guy isn’t as right-wing as you think — “I was saying this back in the 80s…”) Either way, Derrick articulated better than I have why the Obama plan is superior… because it’s not really about the plan at the end of the day but about summoning the political will to overcome the entrenched powers. The interview follows such a nice arc that if it’s not an Obama plant, it should have been — we need more interviews like this being broadcast everywhere. It would even make a nice commercial if it could be cut down to 60 seconds. Which is, of course, the problem.
Anderkoo
ok i went and looked at the other two videos this guy posted and it’s pretty clear to me that he’s kind of an artsy activist nut… you know the type, the kind who gets in your face a little bit because that’s how activists are supposed to be. I don’t think he’s right-wing at all, except maybe he’s a libertarian type. The interview with the Hillary supporters are hillarious, because he caught his fish. Well, sort of, he kind of snags the union guys on why they support Hillary – because the union told them to – but when he engages them on local issues, one of them also defy stereotype to show serious command of a local issue. You can see how unions are so powerful — distributed knowledge and interreliance that someone else in the union has studied the issue more than you have. Anyway, my suspicions about this guy are quelled — seems to be an honest man out to make some political art and succeeding.
jstele
Watch the video again and you may notice something quite interesting. If someone had muted the video and watched it, they would have no idea that Derrick was mad AT ALL. Sure, there are may two 1-second instances where he showed a flash of irritation, but you would never know that he was angry about the situation. That is what is so amazing, the fact that he was able to maintain his composure on the video. Interestingly, there was another gentleman who showed the same composure toward the “interviewer”. Here is another video where the “interviewer” ambushed another campaign supporter, this time for the Hillary campaign:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htD8v2t81h4
I’m really impressed with both Derrick and the guy with sunglasses because they were oh so patient and accommodating to the “interviewer”.
Derrick was too generous with the “interviewer” who was a jerk. He did not need to be hostile, but he could have showed more anger and hostility than he actually did (none). Sometimes, jerks need to be shown anger so that they know how they are affecting other people.
w&w
Gwaan, Derrick! Way to convert the skeptics and maintain composure and coherence. Well done, man. Let’s keep this video making the rounds.
rikyrah
He was fabulous. Made the interviewer look like a fool. This rocks.
Florentine
Ha ha! A note to BigAssBelle’s concern about Derrick voting for McCain . . . I don’t think you need to seriously worry about that! He was just making the point that he is an Independent, not necessarily a Dem or Rep and that he would vote Rep if he was impressed enough by the candidate. He was totally kidding on the McCain tip though . . . note the sideways glance and tongue sticking out. ;-)
Anonymous
Hey Derrick, you’re the man. I am proud of you. You really proved to the interviewer that you knew what you were talking about. I loved that. Obama should see this. Obama would be proud of you.
Anonymous
Derrick you ROCKED THAT INTERVIEW! I went to a an exhibit on Race at the Liberty Science Museum in NJ yesterday created by the American Anthropological Association and it speaks on this topic. DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT’S COVER AND YOUR OWN ASSUMPTIONS!!! Personally you looked like a BEAUTIFUL INTELLIGENT BROTHER BEFORE YOU OPENED YOUR MOUTH… and I was RIGHT! LOL!!! (That’s the Howardite in me)Thank you for being YOU!!!!
Jaye Harding
I applaud the well informed young man’s intelligence, and definitely his ability to hold an intelligent conversation. I don’t know if he was approached or if he volunteered to be interviewed, but he did a marvelous job for a young person and especially for a young Black male. However, I do agree with many of the respondents criticism of the interviewer. I don’t know what criteria he used for choosing people to be interviewed, but he clearly asked more of this person than most interviewees would be subjected too if for no other reason than time limitations. I think the interviewer’s tone noticeably softened when the young man said his Father was Pediatrician: the interviewer probably said to himself, “Damn, I sure didn’t mean to interview this type of a Black person!” There are many Black folk that can hold an intelligently cogent conversation, but the media intentionally avoids us. Not being there I can almost guarantee if the young man had been standing there in a suit and tie holding a briefcase he more than likely wouldn’t have been chosen.
Anonymous
Derrick needs to be Obama’s running mate instead of Hilary!
Lovebabz
Bravo! That’s what they get for trying to follow a stereotype. All the interviewer saw was a young Black kid who he probably thought was just hanging around with no notion of anything except what someone told him to do. Derek, you make me proud as a parent. These are the moments that we all want captured. Yes We Can and we do!
Enoch Mubarak
It never ceases to amaze me how so many black people especially black men find satisfaction in what amounts to another scenario of a man overpowering a woman’s point of view.
The election is between a black man and a white woman. There is no equality in the expectant results of what isn’t even a fair matchup.
If Obama was not able to manifest his manhood and views to overshadow and overpower a womans demure demeanor then there would be something to talk about and pay attention to.
The debate between a man and a woman is not even a fair fight let alone a fair match up. Wait until the matchup is between a man and a man and then you can take pride and stock in watching Obama succeed.
As the situation stands now, the debates have been paramount to nothing more than spousal abuse.
The debates are no different than if you were overpowering your wife in order to get your point of view recognized.
There is no honor, completion, satisfaction or respect to be awarded when the debates are between a man and a woman.
Enoch Mubarak
http://www.mubarakinter-prizes.com
KENYATTA
DNA….
Your words moved me, you truly are a blessed man. Keep speaking out; let your voice be heard all over the world. Its good to know that we as a people still have that drive inside of us for Hope, Change, Freedom, and a better tomorrow.
StoicObserver
This is a reply to what Jstele had said in an earlier posting about how he/she felt that Derrick should have reacted to the interviewer.
Jstele, I completely disagree with you. If you notice at the end of the video he and the interviewer shared a light-hearted moment where they laughed shook hand, and asked names.
In the end Derrick made a friend. now suppose if he would have done what you thought he should have the interviewer could have become more aggressive and possibly hostile. Maybe feeling uncomfortable he would move on to the next person. If the later happened we may not have heard derrick speak his mind. If the former were to happen we would have gotten nowhere and both parties would have been bitter.
But you see that Derrick played the game well. His positive attitude towards the interviewer and quick and ingenious response won him over. Just like Barack Obama, Derrick is part of the solution. Bringing people together and and pushing them away.
Here’s a quote to think on, “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the and the blind can see”,- Mark Twain.
StoicObserver
This is a reply to what Jstele had said in an earlier posting about how he/she felt that Derrick should have reacted to the interviewer.
Jstele, I completely disagree with you. If you notice at the end of the video he and the interviewer shared a light-hearted moment where they laughed shook hand, and asked names.
In the end Derrick made a friend. now suppose if he would have done what you thought he should have the interviewer could have become more aggressive and possibly hostile. Maybe feeling uncomfortable he would move on to the next person. If the later happened we may not have heard derrick speak his mind. If the former were to happen we would have gotten nowhere and both parties would have been bitter.
But you see that Derrick played the game well. His positive attitude towards the interviewer and quick and ingenious response won him over. Just like Barack Obama, Derrick is part of the solution. Bringing people together and and pushing them away.
Here’s a quote to think on, “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the and the blind can see”,- Mark Twain.
Anonymous
Most of us make a big mistake in putting down the interviewer.Was he forced to publish the interview? If he was not, he deserves to be praised for his honesty.He could have just kept it for himself, instead he gives us the opportunity to appreciate the talent of our young brother Derrick.The way most of us react shows a kind of weakness in our judgement. It is like we can’t syntetize a situation, we are too simplistic. It is not the way we are going to unite the Americans. Let’s try to take an obamic approach to every situation, then US will really go forward.
Jean R Gabriel: jrgab11@aol.com
souldrummer
My question to Derrick’s video is the same answer that I have to many passionate, powerful, well-reasoned advocacies of candidates by black people: Does it help the candidate get elected?
The name of the game is win the election without totally sacrificing your values. Derrick has received excellent promotional benefits from this video. He’s gained TV, web, and national newspaper exposure. He’s translated that exposure into eardrums for Soulfege. He’s also provided a well-reasoned defense of Obama.
But this election will be defined by working class white voters who are petrified of too smart dark-skinned Negroes from muckety-muck cities like LA. Out of fear they may vote for Hillary. I wouldn’t be suprised if I helped Barack earn more *marginal* votes cracking jokes at a minor league baseball game yesterday than I would have by publishing a potential viral musical video that I’m working on.
Again, D deserves all the credit in the world for taking a stand and defending his man. The tragedy of it all is that I’m not 100% sure that he helped the candidate. Has Obama himself commented on Derrick’s video? Has Derrick connected directly with the candidate?
“new states in the modern world” [martin kilson]
“crisis of the negro intellectual” [harold cruse]
“protestant estbalishment” [digby baltzell]
“just say hi” [ross smith]
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