Ford Nation videos

Rob Ford shows off his Jamaican patois once again

A new set of Ford Nation videos has been released today. And while much of goes on in the short clips is just promotional-speak designed to prove just how many people love and support Rob Ford, there are occasionally moments when the inane chatter takes on the semblance of something interesting.

There's the moment, for instance, when Rob Ford brings back his Jamaican patios in response to a fan letter (2:05 mark). He only does it briefly, but the devious look on his face is rather priceless -- and possibly problematic if you think the adoption of such an accent crosses the line of cultural appropriation. Doug Ford sure as hell seems worried about it, as he shuts his brother up with a couple of "OKs" and shoots a worried look at a producer off-camera.

Other highlights include a particularly befuddled conversation about American migration patterns. This would just be head-shaking nonsense if it weren't for the fact that it underscores a crucial way of thinking for Rob Ford. Almost everyone he's met in the US was born in a different city than the one in which they reside, which he notes is different from his experience of remaining in one city for most of his life. Out of this personal narrative, the brothers confidently postulate some fundamental difference between culture and economics of the two countries without reference to a statistic or any additional evidence.

This, of course, is the exact same logic that informs the practice of reading out a handful of fan letters and proclaiming that the world loves For Nation. It's also how stereotypes tend to take shape. So maybe these Ford Nation videos are interesting after all.


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