Tuesday
Feb122008
Why I Support Obama - The Emotional Response
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 2:36AM
So we got a ton of positive feedback about that YouTube Interview and it raised a bunch of questions as well. Some folks were pissed at the interviewer, some wanted to know if it was a "staged" encounter, others were wondering if the Obama campaign might have been behind it. All in all I'm crazy excited that people are THIS interested in our nation's political life! So here's my response explaining what went down in that original interview, who I am and why I am so amped about all this:
Please share this with anyone who had a chance to peep the first video, and to anyone on the fence who could use a lil' nudge in the right direction. ;) Let's go get our guy elected!
OBAMA '08!!
D.N.A
Reader Comments (20)
[...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]
[...] explanation of his support for Obama. This complements the intellectual perspective he dropped. Check it out, and share with [...]
Right on Brotha!
Don't sleep....and as pepsi has been saying lately...wake up people!
It is great to see you and hear you articulate what I and many others I know have been saying for the last year. You say it so eloquently and for that I thank you.
I am happy that your responses to the interviewer are getting national attention, not just for the cause of electing brotha Obama, but to enlighten the world to let them know that we Americans are not as stupid as we have been made out to be. We are intelligent and thoughtful. We pay attention to what is going on around us. We are all not wrapped up in the politics of hate, fear and nationalism.
Like you...I believe that we can bring this country together and I believe that brotha Obama is the right leader for this time.
Peace,
Rebecca
As an Obama supporter, a long-time political junkie and foreign policy nut, as a writer, as a sometime musician, and as a 47-year old [white] woman from Missouri, I want to tell you that you have inspired me. The video of your responses to the interview was great.... But this is truly something special.
I am also a mother of two teenagers and I can see why, chewing gum or not, that your mother is proud!
Thank you for the follow up to your original video - I too have been inspired by Obama. Hopefully the Clintons will not try to pollute the process by trying to win at all costs.
I'm so moved...I saw the first interview and had to look you up, what I saw and what you're doing (through music and voice) is powerful. Being West African (Nigerian) born, your sentiments and cause are deeply felt.
Derrick:
It was a blast form the past to see you representing the way you did. I checked out some of your sounds and I'd love to hear from you if you have a chance to hit me back.
Take Care and Dont Sleep
Pascale Michel
Wo Ho te Sen (spelling?),
Keep the flame burning! As a fellow doctoral candidate, I find your spirit to be one of those that resonate within my own. As a teacher with 20 years of experience and a musician, I send you (and the group) a ton of energy.
Knowing that there are others out there trying to shake the tree and wake people up, it makes me feel like there IS hope! I've been for Obama and am active in Illinois where I am finishing my degree.
As for me, me ho ye! Gimme a shout...
All my best,
Michael Breaux
Have passed this video on to several & thank you</B for making me step up my game - if someone shoves a mic in my face I need to make sure I can speak with clarity on why I have a six foot high Obama doll on the roof of my house.*
*reading up on Obama's plan to promote Carbon Sequestration plan*
Much love to you, your parents ("somebody raised that boy right!" - my mom) and the ability to not stutter even with gum in your mouth.
*I exaggerate. It's just a sign on my lawn.
Peace
Saw your interview on the Vanessa Unplugged blog.
L-O-V-E Y-O-U!!!
You probably changed that interviewer's life.
On second thought, maybe not---from the way he sounded, he might be beyond hope, but at the very least you rocked him to his socks that day! haha
I stumbled across your video from one of my favorite blogs and I'm very happy with what I've seen. My friends are definitely going to see this video.
My reason for commenting though is on a slightly different topic because I figured you're probably inundated with plenty of responses similar to this.
I thought you may be interested in checking out http://www.amie.st
A good friend of mine a few of his college buddies started this a couple years ago and I like it's approach. As soon as you mentioned your band and 'Take back the mic', this immediately popped into my mind.
Derrick:
I must say that as many times as you have heard it - and read it - by now, your video which made its way to YouTube (and I mean the second, longer edition of your thoughts even more live and direct)was uplifting and inspirational. I too have followed the Obama campaign with wide eyes, and an open heart (a new phenomenon in the recent history of American politics I assure you) and from the same vantage point as an immigrant, found myself captivated by this man and the ideal of hope and a new dimension of political dialogue he has brought to the national imagination... I was proud of you for 'answering the call' and engaging in your own political discourse, for representing the movement.
As a New Yorker, I have supported the campaign in a number of ways, and continue to be excited by the prospects of where this can go. Who would have thought that all of this was possible.
Cheers to you for your candor and for the passion about democracy.
We hope to see you in NYC v soon!
L
Hey Derrick!
Found your random interview on Youtube, which led me to your emotional response and then to your band's website. What a high level of consciousness. You guys are doing great work. God bless you! We'd love to feature you as part of our Music Rocks Ya Soul: Nationwide Positive Music Campaign.
Hey I just wanted to say thank you for your video response to the original interview. It was very valuable cause I wanted to hear the emotional and passionate reasons for supporting Barack too cause I think those are legimate reasons too.
I am wondering why you are an Independent and not a Democrat? I am a 25 year old in Portland, OR and I have worked for a couple years now to try and work with my county Democratic party and make it a more accessible and better organization. I feel the Democratic Party has failed its members, and fails its younger members by not helping them understand how the party works at the most local levels.
How would you change the Democratic Party to make it something you would be proud to be a member of? Thank you.
Hi Derrick. I'm your newest fan. I had both my twin sons sitting before my laptop listening to you, then printed your profiles and words of wisdom and had them each read aloud until all which was written within a couple of articles both by yourself and regarding yourself were complete. Now "they" know the man. (You the man! By the way, couldn't help but posting the following comment over at 'EVENTFUL': This group, these people, this young woman, these men, they are word to our future. Generations wake up. You will groove to what is true and righteous, never missing a beat. I've heard a peep, this stuff 's sweet. It sweeps the soul's intoxicants, those lyrical tributes of society's abused. Never more to underscore our massive potential to awaken! Listen, give yourself permission to transcend upon the next level. Yea! (Go Derrick, Go Derrick, Go Derrick, I'm ya new fan, I'm ya new fan...! Peace. :-) [end comment])
My twin sons (now 14) truly needed a role model and now they have you! A victim of rape by an African biologist 14 years, the blessing which came from that experience are two wonderful, bright, strong, peaceful and maturing young men who will also be well-rounded given the fact that you, a creative, inspiring, intelligent AFRICAN (now African-American) has surfaced in their(our) lives having a message that can and will compell them, and other young people to stand tall and know its okay to "Kill Cool" once they, too, have allowed ourselves to exit the "Matrix" of society's web.
Thank you (Derrick), when I read a brief bio on thelavinagency I was aghast over how that our paths are very similar, but a generation or two apart (I played in "Rage in Harlem" alongside Mr. Whitaker, Reynaldo Ray, and the late, great Gregory Hines--whom I had a direct scene with; spent my young adulthood playing in bands while working on an HBCU, play and compose at my piano, am a lyrics writer (gospel mostly), and have written two scripts and several short stories--nonfiction and fiction... So when I read your bio, I was like..woooowwowowowow!)
Khalifa and Khalid, my sons, will be raised up from here on out knowing a great leader. Hey, if you ever come to Ohio and need identical twins to be your roadhands (for the group), give us a call (see my ContactPage for the #). They could travel with you guys over the summer and you could give them the wisdom they've missed for the past 14 years. Peace to you and the band!!! ARISE!
Hi Mr. Ashong (Derrick). furSa sa’E'iida. itsharrafna! …wa ashuuf inta men Qatar bas. imta ashufak fil Ohio? amshi li Sinclair Community College, wa talibee fil ilmuhandis. wa iywa, ana min hina (elmrika fe baladik! ana African-American, bas!
I'm your newest fan. I had both my twin sons sitting before my laptop listening to you, then printed your profiles and words of wisdom and had them each read aloud until all which was written within a couple of articles both by yourself and regarding yourself were complete. Now "they" know the man. (You the man! By the way, couldn't help but posting the following comment over at 'EVENTFUL': This group, these people, this young woman, these men, they are word to our future. Generations wake up. You will groove to what is true and righteous, never missing a beat. I've heard a peep, this stuff 's sweet. It sweeps the soul's intoxicants, those lyrical tributes of society's abused. Never more to underscore our massive potential to awaken! Listen, give yourself permission to transcend upon the next level. Yea! (Go Derrick, Go Derrick, Go Derrick, I'm ya new fan, I'm ya new fan...! Peace. :-) [end comment])
My twin sons (now 14) truly needed a role model and now they have you! A victim of rape by an African biologist 14 years, the blessing which came from that experience are two wonderful, bright, strong, peaceful and maturing young men who will also be well-rounded given the fact that you, a creative, inspiring, intelligent AFRICAN (now African-American) has surfaced in their(our) lives having a message that can and will compell them, and other young people to stand tall and know its okay to "Kill Cool" once they, too, have allowed ourselves to exit the "Matrix" of society's web.
Thank you (Derrick), when I read a brief bio on thelavinagency I was aghast over how that our paths are very similar, but a generation or two apart (I played in "Rage in Harlem" alongside Mr. Whitaker, Reynaldo Ray, and the late, great Gregory Hines--whom I had a direct scene with; spent my young adulthood playing in bands while working on an HBCU, play and compose at my piano, am a lyrics writer (gospel mostly), and have written two scripts and several short stories--nonfiction and fiction... So when I read your bio, I was like..woooowwowowowow!)
Khalifa and Khalid, my sons, will be raised up from here on out knowing a great leader. Hey, if you ever come to Ohio and need identical twins to be your roadhands (for the group), give us a call (see my ContactPage for the #). They could travel with you guys over the summer and you could give them the wisdom they've missed for the past 14 years. Peace to you and the band!!!
ARISE! Ashuufak wa Shukran!
When I saw the first video, I thought to myself that this interviewer probably saw this guy and thought to himself, "This black kid over here, let me make him look foolish on video." Something media likes to do, try to choose minorities that they think will stumble and fall on their words to represent an entire group.
I'm sure he will think twice before he approaches another "young" black/brown person whom he perceives to be a blind follower.
All I can say about your response video is WOW.
Hello my Name is Dan McLellan. My nephew 16-year-old nephew Sanford Jackson and myself made a pro Obama Commercial for Moveon.org’s “Obama in 30 seconds competition”. Please support us by checking out the I Can Make a Difference link at http://www.sandanproductions.com/ and passing it along to your family and friends.
Thank You,
Dan McLellan
[...] Hay gente que tiene capacidades extraordinarias para la coherencia, para creer en sí misma, para conectarse con su corazón y hacer y decir lo que le da la gana. Este chico es uno de ellos. Estuvo en San José la semana pasada. La foto se la tomé yo sin saber quién era, sólo porque su sonrisa, sus gestos y su belleza me llamaron la atención. Luego lo oí hablar y entendí. Se llama Derrick y habla con una propiedad y una claridad…. Acá explica por qué va a votar por Obama. [...]
Obama supporters. I can understand your want for change. As do I. I am a registered republican and supporter of Mccain. I write in this blog to cause problems but to try to get some information out there about Obama. Yes he is NEW. He has supporters that have a questionable background and history. Mr. Wright has spoke out against this nation and said we are murderers. He has said God Bless America no God Damn America. He said we deserved 911. How can you support a man who aupported this individual. Obama was supported bu William Ayers of the Weatgher Underground. Obama said he was a close friend. William Ayers bombed the Pentagon for god sakes. Obama has to ties to terrorism but homegrown terrorism. Do we want to take the chance with someone like this. He wants to raise the taxes on the poor. He wants to get rid of the Bush tax cuts. He still refuses to say that the Iraq Surge Worked. He refused to support the defense allocation bills last year. Taken money from the troops who needed the support. He says he supports our troops but his words are not shown in his actions. If we want a stronger america McCain and Palin are the better choice in my opinion. Before you think I am just a supporter getting help McCain/Palin. I dont want to big mistake to happen and then everyone to be upset about it. Look online do your research like I have. The Congress that Obama and McCain are a part of has maybe a high of 10% approval rating. Obama has been apart of it when it was down. McCain was around when it had some of its highest approval ratings. Please do your research and then vote. please dont vote because he is black/african american. vote for the nation not color. God Bless you all and God Bless America. May go protect us from the Evils of Islamic and Homegrown Terrorists.