Five (5) Things Questlove Did to Help Barack Obama Win the Election
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It goes without saying that Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson is a deep dude. The world-renowned drummer and de facto front man for the Legendary Roots crew is known for his insightful thoughts on a wide range of worldly topics–more specifically the recent election. While several big-named artists took turns throwing benefit concerts and celebrity parties to support President-elect Barack Obama’s campaign ?uestlove actually put in blood, sweat and tears for Obama as a volunteer.
For the past eight months, the conspicuous fixture in the world of hip-hop spent his time spreading the message of “Change,” one he believes in and plans to continue working with Obama on after he assumes his post as President of the United States of America on January 20, 2009. While Obama should certainly thank the 65 million Americans who voted for him, he owes a special token of gratitude to a kid named Ahmir from Philly. Recently we caught up with ?uestlove and he explained to us the five things he did to help get Obama into office.
–gavin philip godfrey
He Made Phone Calls: “Making phone calls is too heart wrenching for me because its one thing when you sort of have an ambiguously ethnic voice and they don’t know if you’re black or white on the other line. I stopped saying, “Hi, my name is Ahmir Thompson.” I’d just say, “Hi, this is John Royston.”
He Stayed Persistent: “During primaries I saw a side of America I didn’t even know still existed. [On the phone people] were like, “Let me tell you something, I wouldn’t vote for Barack Hussein Obama if he was the last man on earth. I’d rather go Republican.” I’d say, “I understand how you feel Ma’m, but you’re still a registered Democrat. Have you read Mr. Obama’s policies?” They’d say, “Ah, I don’t care about his policies, he’s a terrorist.” There was one time where I wanted break down and cry. I hung up the phone, I went to the bathroom – I just couldn’t believe that it was 1948 all over again.”
He Worked Until the 25th Hour: “Well, midnight November 4, I was still in the 6-hour process of putting flyers on doors. I’ve been a Barack volunteer for like the past eight months, so that’s always been my job – go to neighborhoods, open up boxes, put all them Barack flyers on the doorknobs, go to the next neighborhood, do the same thing.”
He Believed in the Man, Not the Hype: “I think that this was worth the effort. For the first time I feel as though – and I don’t mean like, ‘Oh, for the first time a black man’s going to be [president]’ – no, I think for the first time an actual human being’s going to be in office that truly understands and cares about the well-being of the country and not just for monetary gain or false power.”
He Understands the Bigger Picture: “[Election night] I was on the train and I didn’t want to hear anything, I just kept my iPod on. I watched Family Guy on my iTunes and then I walked outside – it was 8th Ave and 31st in New York City, and three old white women came, and in slow motion, just jumped me. In my head I was like ok, this obviously means he won. [Holding this old women in the air] I asked, “He won, right? Ok, I’ll hold your asses up here.” That’s how I found out—I got tackled by three elderly white women on the streets of New York. It was a nice feeling, being as though I was one of the people that happened to be in the streets during another time period. People have not been that nice to each other in New York since 9/11 – two weeks after 9/11. I just hope that everyone doesn’t lose their enthusiasm and that they don’t mistake this as 40 acres and a mule for everybody. Come January 20th, then he’s our president.”
