State Sen. Coleman A. Young II and campaign manager Adolph Mongo.
When state Sen. Coleman A. Young II was debating Mayor Mike Duggan late last month, he said: "It's time to take back the motherland for the people."
The unusual phrase, taken as a "dog whistle" way of urging black voters to take back city leadership from a white mayor, got an immediate reaction in the media -- mostly critical.
Interestingly, a Facebook video of Young's election night party at Southern Fire Bistro & Lounge off East Jefferson, provides some insight into Young's expectations of how "motherland" would be received.
The clip shows Young on stage with campaign manager Adolph Mongo, waiting for a microphone so Young could give a concession speech. Mongo raises a fist and says: "All praises due to the motherland."
People in the audience yell back: "The motherland." Someone yells: "Like it or leave it."
Young then turns to Mongo and says: "I didn't think it was going to catch on like that."
"But it did," says Mongo, who some suspect may have been its author.
"I didn't think it was going to catch on like that at all. I didn't think that was going to catch on that crazy," the candidate adds.
Young then delivers his speech, thanking his mother, relatives and supporters and Mongo, whom he called "kingmaker."
"This is just the beginning," he says. "The struggle continues and the revolution moves on. I want to thank my opponent Mike Duggan. You got to give it to him. We got to give credit where credit is due."
He adds: "The campaign might be over but the cause never dies."
