Jack and Jill Politics - Latest Comments in My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

souldrummer — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:18:00 -0000

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]

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Anonymous — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:50:00 -0000

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

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

StoicObserver — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:17:00 -0000

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.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

StoicObserver — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:16:00 -0000

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

KENYATTA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:04:00 -0000

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.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Enoch Mubarak — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:41:00 -0000

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

www.mubarakinter-prizes.com

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Lovebabz — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:49:00 -0000

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!

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 10:59:00 -0000

Derrick needs to be Obama's running mate instead of Hilary!

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Jaye Harding — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:05:00 -0000

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.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:40:00 -0000

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!!!!

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:20:00 -0000

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.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Florentine — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 21:55:00 -0000

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. ;-)

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

rikyrah — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:15:00 -0000

He was fabulous. Made the interviewer look like a fool. This rocks.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

w&w — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:38:00 -0000

Gwaan, Derrick! Way to convert the skeptics and maintain composure and coherence. Well done, man. Let's keep this video making the rounds.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

jstele — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:19:00 -0000

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/watc...

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.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Anderkoo — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:25:00 -0000

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.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Anderkoo — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 02:03:00 -0000

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.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Acanthus — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:51:00 -0000

"...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.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

BigAssBelle — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:03:00 -0000

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.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:56:00 -0000

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.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

michelle — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:30:00 -0000

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.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Caribbean Lionesse — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:20:00 -0000

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.

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

S.G.E.W. — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 07:18:00 -0000

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!

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

Wensley — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 05:14:00 -0000

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!!!!

Re: My Boy Derrick Ashong Holds It DOWN For Obama and Intelligence

invisible_hand — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:39:00 -0000

holy shit.
derrick is the smartest person ever.