KPFA - Hard Knock Radio

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Fund Drive Special: appeared first on KPFA.

In a powerful episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with Dorsey Nunn, the co-founder of “All of Us or None,” to discuss his memoir “What Kind of Bird Can’t Fly: A Memoir of Resilience and Resurrection.” The conversation was an in-depth exploration of Nunn’s life, his activism, and the systemic issues faced by formerly incarcerated individuals. ### Discussing “The Bird That Couldn’t Fly” Memoir Davey D began the conversation by praising the engaging nature of Nunn’s memoir, comparing its impact to Malcolm X’s autobiography. He highlighted the vividness and relatability of Nunn’s journey from East Palo Alto to prison and back, noting that it should be required reading for many. Nunn revealed that he was initially reluctant to write the book, but was encouraged by his colleague Manuel to share his story to ensure it was told accurately. He emphasized that his life has been a continuous journey of resilience, paralleling many of the themes discussed in his letters from the 1970s. ### Dorsey’s Journey to Voting Rights Advocacy Nunn shared the profound impact of letters from a friend in prison, which discussed topics like voting rights. These letters inspired him to campaign for voting rights for people in county jail and on parole. Reflecting on his childhood in Menlo Park, a predominantly white area that experienced blockbusting due to his family’s move, Nunn emphasized the importance of sharing his story to prevent misconceptions and to shed light on the systemic issues faced by Black communities. ### Formerly Incarcerated Voices and Challenges The conversation highlighted the importance of formerly incarcerated individuals sharing their experiences as a political force. Nunn, despite not having a law degree, was offered the role of executive director at a public legal service office. He discussed the successes of the organization he led and the need to challenge dominant narratives that defer to individuals with formal education. Davey D noted how formerly incarcerated individuals have become a significant political force, demanding the right to speak in their own voice and challenging the language used to dehumanize them. ### Discussing Michelle Alexander’s Impact and Restoration of Rights Davey D and Nunn spoke about Michelle Alexander, a Stanford law professor, and her influential book, **”The New Jim Crow.”** Nunn shared his experiences in Alexander’s class and her recognition of his story. He emphasized Alexander’s impact on the restoration of women’s rights and her acknowledgment of Susan Burton. Nunn also discussed the importance of distributing books by Black authors in Black communities and his efforts to introduce Alexander to various communities in California. Davey D echoed Nunn’s sentiments, highlighting the significance of Alexander’s message. ### Discussing Original Sources, Transparency, and Resilience The participants delved into the importance of acknowledging original sources of ideas, transparency in academic research, and making substantive works accessible to a broader audience. Nunn shared how recognizing structural discrimination and substantive writings impacted his life. His memoir, based on personal letters and diary entries, portrays issues related to race and policy in the Bay Area. The discussion also covered Nunn’s experiences as a young Black man incarcerated in the 1970s and the lasting effects on his life. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Fund Drive Special: In Conversation with Dorsey Nunn about his book What Kind of Bird Can’t Fly: A Memoir of Resilience and Resurrection appeared first on KPFA.

Today we speak with author Paul Alexander about his latest book Bitter Crop: The Heartache and Triumph of Billie Holiday’s Last Year. During her lifetime and after her death, Billie Holiday was often depicted as a down-on-her-luck junkie severely lacking in self-esteem. Relying on interviews with people who knew her, and new material unearthed in private collections and institutional archives, Bitter Crop—a reference to the last two words of Strange Fruit, her moving song about lynching—limns Holiday as a powerful, ambitious woman who overcame her flaws to triumph as a vital figure of American popular music. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Fund Drive Special: Bitter Crop: The Heartache and Triumph of Billie Holiday’s Last Year appeared first on KPFA.

Davey D speaks with author Adam Shatz about his new book, The Rebel’s Clinic: The Revolutionary Lives of Frantz Fanon. In this searching biography, Adam Shatz tells the story of Fanons stunning journey, which has all the twists of a Cold War-era thriller. Fanon left his modest home in Martinique to fight in the French Army during World War II; when the war was over, he fell under the influence of Existentialism while studying medicine in Lyon and trying to make sense of his experiences as a Black man in a white city. Fanon went on to practice a novel psychiatry of dis-alienation in rural France and Algeria, and then join the Algerian independence struggle, where he became a spokesman, diplomat, and clandestine strategist. He died in 1961, while under the care of the CIA in a Maryland hospital. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Fund Drive Special: The Rebel’s Clinic: The Revolutionary Lives of Frantz Fanon appeared first on KPFA.

We speak with author and culture critic Odie Henderson about his latest book, Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras: A History of Blaxploitation Cinema. Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras is a spirited history of a genre and the movies that he grew up watching, which he loves without irony (but with plenty of self-awareness and humor). Blaxploitation was a major trend, but it was never simple. The films mixed self-empowerment with exploitation, base stereotypes with essential representation that spoke to the lives and fantasies of Black viewers. The time is right for a reappraisal, understanding these films in the context of the time, and exploring their lasting influence. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Fund Drive Special: In Conversation with Odie Henderson about Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras appeared first on KPFA.

Davey D speaks with DJ Lynnée Denise about the book, Why Willie Mae Thornton Matters. Born in Alabama in 1926, raised in the church, appropriated by white performers, buried in an indigent’s grave—Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton’s life events epitomize the blues. Why Willie Mae Thornton Matters “samples” elements of Thornton’s art—and, occasionally, the author’s own story—to create “a biography in essays” that explores the life of its subject as a DJ might dig through a crate of records. Denise connects Thornton’s vaudevillesque performances in Sammy Green’s Hot Harlem Revue to the vocal improvisations that made “Hound Dog” a hit for Peacock Records (and later for Elvis Presley), injecting music criticism into what’s often framed as a cautionary tale of record-industry racism. She interprets Thornton’s performing in men’s suits as both a sly, Little Richard–like queering of the Chitlin Circuit and a simple preference for pants over dresses that didn’t have a pocket for her harmonica. Most radical of all, she refers to her subject by her given name rather than “Big Mama,” a nickname bestowed upon her by a white man. It’s a deliberate and crucial act of reclamation, because in the name of Willie Mae Thornton is the sound of Black musical resilience. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Fund Drive Special: Why Willie Mae Thornton Matters appeared first on KPFA.

Davey D presents the book, The Hundred Years War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017 by Rashid Khalidi. Drawing on a wealth of untapped archival materials and the reports of generations of family members―mayors, judges, scholars, diplomats, and journalists―The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine upends accepted interpretations of the conflict, which tend, at best, to describe a tragic clash between two peoples with claims to the same territory. Instead, Khalidi traces a hundred years of colonial war on the Palestinians, waged first by the Zionist movement and then Israel, but backed by Britain and the United States, the great powers of the age. He highlights the key episodes in this colonial campaign, from the 1917 Balfour Declaration to the destruction of Palestine in 1948, from Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon to the endless and futile peace process. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Fund Drive Special: The Hundred Years War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017 appeared first on KPFA.

We present the groundbreaking documentary The Occupation of the American mind : Israel’s public relations war in the United States. Over the past few years, Israel’s ongoing military occupation of Palestinian territory and repeated invasions of the Gaza strip have triggered a fierce backlash against Israeli policies virtually everywhere in the world — except the United States. The Occupation of the American Mind takes an eye-opening look at this critical exception, zeroing in on pro-Israel public relations efforts within the U.S. Narrated by Roger Waters and featuring leading observers of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and U.S. media culture, the film explores how the Israeli government, the U.S. government, and the pro-Israel lobby have joined forces, often with very different motives, to shape American media coverage of the conflict in Israel’s favor. From the U.S.-based public relations campaigns that emerged in the 1980s to today, the film provides a sweeping analysis of Israel’s decades-long battle for the hearts, minds, and tax dollars of the American people in the face of widening international condemnation of its increasingly right-wing policies. Narrated by Roger Waters / Featuring Amira Hass, M.J. Rosenberg, Stephen M. Walt, Noam Chomsky, Rula Jebreal, Henry Siegman, Rashid Khalidi, Rami Khouri, Yousef Munayyer, Norman Finkelstein, Max Blumenthal, Phyllis Bennis, Norman Solomon, Mark Crispin Miller, Peter Hart, and Sut Jhally. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Fund Drive Special: The occupation of the American Mind appeared first on KPFA.

We present a talk featuring journalist Chris Hedges speaking at the Palestine Center for Public Policy in Newark, NJ about The Death of Israel and The Algebra of Genocide. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Fund Drive Special: The Death of Israel and The Algebra of Genocide appeared first on KPFA.

A number of Berkeley Unified School District Teachers spoke out about the pressure and harassment they have received from the Anti-Defamation League who has accused them of being anti-semitic based on their lessons on Palestine. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Berkeley Teachers Speak Out appeared first on KPFA.

Davey D speaks with Nancy Mansour about her humanitarian visit to Gaza. And later Poor News Network talks about America’s war on the poor. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Protect Palestine and Poor News Network appeared first on KPFA.

“Today on Hard Knock Radio, Davey D brings together a diverse group of students and activists from across the country to discuss the Palestinian Solidarity Encampments. The participants delved into the recent nationwide protests supporting Palestine, highlighting the intense police reactions and the inaccurate media portrayals of the protesters. They also shared their personal experiences with police brutality, the noticeable absence of police during student protests, and the ongoing campaigns for divestment from companies complicit in the Israeli occupation. The conversation concluded with an exploration of the potential role of faith-based institutions, the possibility of creating a third political option, and the importance of self-care for those committed to the long-term struggle for justice.” Guests included Pastor Cue from UCLA, Melina Abdullah from CSLA, Aboud Ashhab and Gabriela Venegas-Ramirez from Brown University, and Carmen Llanes Pulido, a community organizer from Austin, Texas. They offered insights into the evolving nature of these protests and the challenges they face. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Palestinian Solidarity Encampments appeared first on KPFA.

On today’s episode we speak with activist Dhoruba Bin Wahad. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post In Conversation with Dhoruba Bin Wahad appeared first on KPFA.

We catch up with the folks from Arab Resource Organizing Committee (AROC) and SF state to talk about Palestine Liberation, new solidarity encampments and May Day events. Also we talk to Jose Malvido about the upcoming Peace and Dignity Run. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post In Conversation with the Arab Resource Organizing Committee and San Francisco State about Palestine/ Peace and Dignity Run appeared first on KPFA.

On Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D engaged with actor-filmmaker Mario Van Peebles and David Roach, who heads the Oakland International Film Festival, in a wide-ranging discussion about film and representation. They explored Mario’s illustrious career and the challenges and benefits of maintaining a family dynasty in the film industry. Central to the conversation was the representation of African Americans, particularly through Mario’s film “Posse,” which they noted as a powerful educational tool and inspiration for aspiring filmmakers. The talk also delved into Mario’s latest project, “Outlaw Posse,” a film noted for its authenticity and diverse casting, including notable stars like Whoopi Goldberg and Neil McDonough. The production’s commitment to genuine portrayals of historical events was emphasized, alongside the importance of cultural collaboration within the film industry. Further discussion covered the upcoming Oakland International Film Festival, with excitement about new filmmaker submissions. Mario and Davey debated the portrayal of Native Americans in a new script, aiming for respectful and non-stereotypical representation. They highlighted the role of independent filmmaking in tackling social issues and the importance of education in shaping the next generation of filmmakers. The conversation also touched on broader issues of racial representation in cinema, the distortion of revolutionary messages in mainstream media, and the need for films like “Outlaw Posse” to correct misleading historical narratives. They ended with reflections on the power of cinema to inspire and educate, especially within marginalized communities. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post In Conversation with Mario Van Peebles and Dave Roach about Outlaw Posse appeared first on KPFA.

In a compelling episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D discussed the turbulent U.S. political landscape with Dr. James Taylor, a political analyst and professor from USF. Their conversation delved into the deep polarization affecting the nation as it approaches the elections, with a particular focus on the extreme partisanship within the Republican Party and the contentious policies of former President Trump. Dr. Taylor highlighted President Biden’s challenges, noting not only his foreign policy missteps but also his handling of domestic issues such as police violence and the educational controversies surrounding critical race theory and black history. They explored how Biden’s foreign policy decisions, particularly those affecting Palestinian rights, have alienated important voter blocs, potentially jeopardizing his support in crucial states like Michigan. The discussion also covered the significant impact of Pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses, emphasizing how these movements reflect broader dissatisfaction with current U.S. foreign policies and could influence the upcoming elections. Taylor and Davey D debated the possible outcomes of Biden’s presidency, comparing it with historical presidencies and speculating on a fragmented electorate that may lead to increased voter abstention. Throughout the conversation, Davey D stressed the importance of engaging young and African American voters, critiquing the Democratic Party’s insufficient outreach and the influence of prominent media personalities who align with Trump. The episode painted a picture of a nation at a crossroads, with its political and social dynamics poised to shape its future significantly. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Understanding the U.S. Political Landscape appeared first on KPFA.

We speak with community activists about police terror in Antioch, California. Later we speak with Minister King X about the release of freeing aging political prisoners. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Police Brutality in Antioch, California and Freeing Aging Politcal Prisoners appeared first on KPFA.

In an insightful episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D spoke with Rosa Clemente about her educational journey and her dissertation, which examines the role of hip-hop in political activism. Clemente shared her experiences with protests at Columbia University and other college campuses, highlighting how these movements have historically shaped political engagement among students. The conversation broadened to discuss the effectiveness of grassroots organizing in influencing politics, emphasizing the transformative power of local activism. However, Clemente and Davey D also delved into the disturbing trends of increased violence and suppression of dissent in the United States, particularly against activists who criticize Zionism or support Palestinian rights. Clemente noted that such crackdowns have been prevalent since her student days in the early 90s, posing significant challenges to free speech and political expression. The discussion also touched on the difficulties of maintaining unity within activist groups amidst these pressures. Both speakers stressed the importance of self-determination and community involvement in activism, arguing that active participation in social issues is crucial for effecting change. They concluded by reflecting on the current political landscape, calling for a more inclusive and responsive approach to address the urgent needs of diverse communities. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post In Conversation with Rose Clemente appeared first on KPFA.

In a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D was joined by Kali Akuno of Cooperation Jackson to discuss pressing issues surrounding a Supreme Court ruling that could drastically limit, or even effectively outlaw, the right to protest. They delved into the implications of this potential limitation, touching on how it represents a chilling threat to civil disobedience and democratic principles. The conversation also covered Jackson, Mississippi’s own unique challenges, including a dual system of courts and policing, and a severely underfunded water system, emphasizing how these issues reflect broader national political influences on local governance. Furthermore, the discussion broadened to the repressive measures targeting groups supporting Palestine, underlining the serious consequences for global human rights advocacy. The episode concluded by connecting environmental challenges with broader social justice issues, particularly focusing on the ongoing situations in Palestine and the significance of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. This comprehensive conversation highlighted the intersections of local and global struggles for justice and the role of community-led initiatives in facing these challenges. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post Kali Akuno, Oppressive Laws, Palestine and Earth Day appeared first on KPFA.

Americas Black Capital: How African Americans Remade Atlanta in the Shadow of the Confederacy chronicles how a center of Black excellence emerged amid virulent expressions of white nationalism as African Americans pushed back against Confederate ideology to create an extraordinary locus of achievement. Alongside author Dr. Jeffrey O.G. Ogbar, in this episode we examine the methods in which Black Atlanteans pushed for social, economic, and political upliftment through the development of Black collegiate systems, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. We center the conversation on America’s long history of racism and voter disenfranchisement. In the second half of the show, Poor News Network explores America’s War on the poor. This segment re-aired due to a station error. Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson. The post America’s Black Capital and Poor News Network appeared first on KPFA.