HKR

HKR

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HKR episodes

  • HKR: Hard Knock Radio Monday July 21 2025- Selena Wilson on Afro futurism and Tribute to malcolm Jamal Warner
    HKR-07-21-25)
    Celebrating Vision and Resilience: Selena Wilson Talks Black Futures Ball and Afrofuturism on Hard Knock Radio
    On this edition of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with Selena Wilson, CEO of East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC), to discuss the upcoming 4th Annual Black Futures Ball"a vibrant celebration of Afrofuturism, community resilience, and youth empowerment.
    Held on Saturday, August 2 at the Chabot Space and Science Center, this years event pays tribute to the legendary Sun Ra and his 1974 cult classic film Space Is the Place, which was filmed in Oakland. The timing couldnt be more aligned, as the Sun Ra Arkestra is also set to perform in the Bay Area that same weekend. It felt like a harmonic convergence, Wilson said, emphasizing the spiritual and cultural alignment.
    Wilson explained the Black Futures Balls deeper purpose: to fund college scholarships for youth served by EOYDC. The event raises more than $150,000 annually for students"providing not only financial support but also a platform to amplify imagination, creativity, and radical vision. Inspired by works like Black Panther, Ironheart, and the new Superman, the Ball offers a space for attendees to dream boldly, dress boldly, and imagine liberating futures rooted in joy and Black excellence.
    Davey D and Wilson spoke about the power of Afrofuturism to nurture imagination, especially in times of political disillusionment. Theres a continuum, Wilson explained, acknowledging both despair and creativity among youth. While some are discouraged by attacks on education, climate change, and systemic injustice, many are thinking beyond the limitations of the current system building apps, designing curricula, and leveraging AI for social good.
    The Ball itself promises a vibrant collision of fashion, science fiction, ancestral reverence, and dance-floor vibes. Think Met Gala meets AfroPunk meets Comic-Con. Its a space where people come in full regalia"from cosmic alien fits to ancestral robes, Wilson said. This year, EOYDC is collaborating with the Black Cultural Zone to host jewelry-making workshops and fashion pop-ups to help attendees build their look.
    Wilson also spotlighted Oaklands rising representation in pop culture, celebrating creators like Ryan Coogler and Shanaka Hodge, who are shifting narratives through media and imagination. Films like Freaky Tales and the newest Superman reflect the Bays indelible imprint on futurist storytelling.
    Throughout the conversation, the message was clear: collective vision, grounded in justice and creativity, is our most powerful tool. It took more than Superman, Wilson noted. It took a whole team.
    For more info and tickets, visit EOYDCs social media and website. VIP doors open at 6 PM; general admission starts at 8 PM. Costumes encouraged"Sun Ra energy welcomed.
    In the second half of the show, we pay tribute to the tragic loss of actor and humanitarian Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show. His contributions to the arts, activism, and Black representation will not be forgotten.
    55 min
  • HKR: Hard Knock Radio Tuesday July 15 2025 Build and Fight Pt2 George Galvis Report Back
    On pt2 of Build and Fight Episode #5
    Featuring Blair Evans, hosted by Kali Akuno and Thandisizwe Chimurenga
    Episode 5 of the Build and Fight Formula series dives into the power of community production with guest Blair Evans of Insight Focus. Hosted by Kali Akuno and Thandisizwe Chimurenga, this episode explores how digital fabrication"using tools like 3D printers and CNC machines"can help marginalized communities build self-sufficiency and collective power.
    Evans, a founding member of the Peoples Network for Land and Liberation, explains how Fab Labs can serve as local production centers that do more than create goods"they foster cooperative economics, ecological regeneration, and democratic governance. The conversation challenges fears that automation will displace Black labor and instead frames digital tools as pathways to own the means of production and reimagine how we meet our needs.
    The episode lays out a strategic roadmap: start by using commercial tools, then build your own, and eventually shift to sustainable, locally sourced materials. Evans emphasizes a three-part approach: digital fabrication, ecosystem-centered thinking, and human-centered systems like worker co-ops and community land trusts.
    Together, Akuno, Chimurenga, and Evans argue that controlling production is essential to transforming society"and the time to start is now.
    Key quote:
    Fight for what you want now"or fight against what you dont want later.
    Later on in the show we get a Report Back from George Galvis who went to South Dakota and sat down with freedom Fighter and former political prisoner Leonard Peltier
    (HKR-07-15-25) On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, Davey D speaks with George Galvis of CURYJ about his powerful visit with freed political prisoner Leonard Peltier. Galvis describes the emotional impact of participating in Peltiers first Sundance in 50 years, calling it a moment of spiritual renewal amid dark political times.
    The two reflect on the continued criminalization of Indigenous ceremony, the violence of ICE raids, and the erasure of cultural histories. Galvis draws parallels between current oppression and past government programs like Operation Wetback, warning that what were seeing now is a modern-day occupation targeting Indigenous and migrant communities.
    They discuss the sacred roots of movements like Standing Rock, the importance of ceremony in resistance, and the challenge of staying grounded while confronting state violence and digital surveillance. Galvis also honors his mentors"Peltier and the late Harry Belafonte"who modeled unwavering commitment and strategic organizing.
    Calling ICE agents bounty hunters and the raids a form of human trafficking, Galvis urges listeners to build modern-day underground railroads and organize at the grassroots level. Peltiers survival and release, he says, is a victory"a reminder that even against empire, people power wins.
    55 min
  • HKR: Hard Knock Radio Monday July 14th 2025.. Congresswoman Lateefah Simon amd Build and Fight #5
    (HKR-07-12-25) On this edition of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sits down with Congresswoman Lateefah Simon for a timely and urgent conversation about the devastating implications of the recently passed federal spending bill"dubbed by critics as the Big Ugly Bill. Representing Californias newly redrawn 12th Congressional District, Simon pulls no punches in breaking down what she calls an insidious attack on poor and working-class communities across the nation, particularly in the Bay Area.
    A Budget of Brutality, Not Care
    Simon outlines how the bill strips over $1 trillion from health care programs including Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and the Childrens Health Insurance Program. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, 17 million people will lose healthcare by 2034, and 90 million dollars in Planned Parenthood funding"including Oaklands Barbara Lee Health Center"has been cut immediately. In her words, they are literally kicking women in the neck.
    SNAP benefits (aka food stamps) are also on the chopping block, along with $5 trillion in tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations. The bill simultaneously boosts ICE and Homeland Security by 19%, making ICE the largest federal law enforcement agency in the country. This is no accident, Simon says. This administration wants this country whiter and more male.
    Local Impact: Bay Area on the Frontlines
    Simon emphasizes that this bill directly harms people in her district. Over 35,000 residents are expected to lose healthcare, and 9,000 families may lose access to food assistance. This isnt abstract policy"its life and death for our communities, she says.
    Simon points to the defunding of NIH clinical trials at Oakland Childrens Hospital as an example of how the bills cruelty extends even to children battling cancer. ICE, now armed with an expanded budget, is already escalating deportations, and Simon warns that marginalized diasporic communities"from Haitians to Armenians"are being targeted with little media attention or recourse.
    Whats Next: Midterms, Mobilization, and Mutual Aid
    With urgency and clarity, Simon stresses that the midterms are critical: If we dont win, we may not have a republic. She explains that Democrats have lost control of the House, Senate, and Executive Branch"and without the numbers, they lack subpoena power and oversight authority. Still, she remains committed to harm reduction, filing amendments (six on this bill alone), visiting detention centers, and working across the aisle when necessary.
    But she also insists this cannot be a fight left to elected officials alone. Not one right was ever given to us without a fight, she reminds listeners, quoting Grace Lee Boggs and Wanda Johnson. Simon encourages folks to contact her office, stay politically engaged, and push all elected officials to be accountable.
    The Role of Taxes: A Call for a Peace Dividend
    Davey D and Simon also discuss the question of where taxpayer money goes"and where it should go. Echoing former Congresswoman Barbara Lee, they call for a peace dividend that funds education, housing, childcare, and diplomacy"not war and mass incarceration.
    Simon closes the conversation grounded in faith and community: Injustice cannot stand forever. Im here every day fighting because I believe in our people.
    Later on in the show we listen to Build and Fight series #5 with Kali Akuno and Thandi Chimerenga
    55 min
  • HKR: Hard Knock radio Monday July 7th 2025
    Hard Knock Radio Summary: Davey D Talks Floods, Climate Crisis, and Community Response with Alexia Leclercq
    On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D spoke with Alexia Leclercq, an Austin-based climate justice organizer, about the devastating floods in Central Texas and the broader implications of climate inaction. The conversation shed light on government negligence, environmental racism, and grassroots community efforts in the wake of disaster.
    No Warning, No Help
    The segment began with context: catastrophic flash floods near San Antonio left at least 80 dead or missing. Despite official claims that residents ignored warnings, Leclercq emphasized that many never received meaningful alerts, due to budget cuts to the National Weather Service and outdated or understaffed emergency systems. Flash flood warnings, she explained, were vague and often sent in the middle of the night, leaving residents unaware of how dangerous conditions truly were.
    Climate Crisis and Systemic Neglect
    Leclercq tied the tragedy to broader climate issues, noting that Central Texas"already known as "flash flood alley""is increasingly vulnerable due to prolonged droughts and soil conditions. She explained that the climate crisis is turning so-called 100-year floods into regular occurrences, a direct result of fossil fuel-driven warming and decades of poor environmental policy.
    Davey D noted how disasters in communities of color"from Texas to St. Louis"are routinely underreported or blamed on the victims, while places like California see swift criticism of leadership during crises. Leclercq stressed that working-class and BIPOC communities are hit hardest and offered a sobering take: "The climate crisis is literally killing people."
    Fossil Fuels, Denial, and Disaster
    The conversation pivoted to Texass deep ties to the oil and gas industry. Leclercq condemned the rollback of green policies and tax credits, and explained the urgency of staying below 2.5C of global warming. She broke it down simply: even small increases in temperature"just like a fever"have dramatic impacts on ecosystems and human survival. Texas, she warned, is on track to exceed that threshold soon.
    Community Relief Over Government Support
    With FEMA absent, recovery efforts have been largely community-driven. Leclercq highlighted organizations like Community Powered ATX, The Healing Project, Southern Oaks Church, and Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country"all stepping up with donations, food, and supplies.
    Closing Thoughts
    Davey D and Leclercq agreed that natural disasters are no longer just "acts of God""theyre symptoms of policy choices. And as the planet grows hotter, communities like those in Central Texas will remain on the frontlines. Davey D ended with a reminder: "Mother Earth will be fine"the question is whether well be here to dance with her."
    Later on in the show we hear a commentary from Brown Girl Pride on the two Party system
    Afterwards we look back 20 years ago when the London Bombings took place.. and HKR was there on the scene..
    55 min
  • HKR: Hard Knock Radio Monday June 30 2025 Javie Gonzalez of ICEbreakers Speaks Out
    Hard Knock Radio Recap: Javier Gonzalez of ICEBreakers Sounds the Alarm on Mass Deportations and Surveillance State
    In a powerful and urgent conversation, Hard Knock Radio host Davey D sat down with Los Angeles organizer and longtime activist Javier Gonzalez of ICEBreakers to break down the deepening immigrant crackdown and the political infrastructure behind it. Gonzalez, known for his street-level organizing and insight into power systems, laid out how ICE raids have become more aggressive and widespread " not just targeting Latinx communities, but also Black and Asian immigrants across the country.
    Gonzalez traced todays deportation machinery back to bipartisan roots " spotlighting how Democrats like Janet Napolitano and Barack Obama laid much of the groundwork now being amplified by Trump and Stephen Miller. He criticized nonprofit industrial complexes and legacy immigrant rights groups for becoming complicit, cashing in on DACA renewals and providing PR cover instead of real resistance.
    He warned that the real danger isnt just ICE"its the creation of a national surveillance apparatus, bolstered by federal funds and linked county-to-county through systems like the Joint Regional Intelligence Centers. These networks, Gonzalez argued, are quietly enabling a privatized deportation army with bonuses for arrests and long-term political aims, including postponing elections and expanding authoritarian control.
    Despite the grim landscape, Gonzalez emphasized the need for grassroots rebuilding " from forming new organizations and mutual aid networks to confronting city officials about their complicity. The refuge is in the home, he said. We build from there.
    He called out performative activism and urged people to act with intention: organize, do research, hold officials accountable, and use art and social media strategically. We dont need everyone. We need the fearless ones, Gonzalez declared, reminding listeners that resistance begins with trust, family, and community.
    57 min
  • HKR: Hard Knock Radio Tuesday June 17 2025The Plight of Asian Immigrant
    On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D dives into the impact of mass deportations and ICE raids, especially on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Hes joined by Aquilina Soriano Versoza of the Filipino Workers Center and Cha Vang of AAPIs for Civic Empowerment. Together, they push back on the harmful narrative that AAPI communities are absent from the immigrant rights struggle.
    Soriano Versoza details how Filipino and other AAPI communities are actively organizing, mobilizing, and responding to ICE raids"often as first responders in rapid response networks. She emphasizes that many Filipinos in the U.S. are recent immigrants or undocumented workers, making them highly vulnerable to raids, detentions, and exploitation.
    Vang explains that over 3 million AAPI immigrants reside in California, with nearly half a million undocumented. Many are directly targeted by ICE, despite media erasure. She highlights the unique challenges faced by Southeast Asian refugees, including being deported to countries theyve never lived in, and the systemic double punishment of being deported years after serving time for youthful offenses.
    The conversation connects deportation policies to U.S. foreign interventions and economic exploitation, revealing how these tactics destabilize immigrant communities and fuel a prison-to-deportation pipeline. Both guests draw parallels between todays ICE quotas and the racialized policing of the 1990s drug war.
    They close by urging solidarity across Black, Brown, and AAPI communities in fighting not just unjust immigration policy, but an expanding authoritarian state that threatens civil liberties for all. The episode is a call to action, truth-telling, and cross-community unity.
    55 min
  • HKR: Hard Knock Radio Monday June 16 2025 SF Black Film Festival| Remembering 2pac on his birthday
    On this episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sits down with Cree Oray, executive director of the San Francisco Black Film Festival (SFBFF), to discuss the legacy, mission, and future of one of the longest-running Black film festivals in the country. Founded by her late mother, Ave Montague, the festival continues to uplift stories by, for, and about people of African descent around the globe.
    Oray highlights the festivals commitment to showcasing diverse Black narratives"especially those that are often underrepresented in Hollywood. This years lineup includes over 90 films, including documentaries, shorts, and international features, all centered around truth-telling, empowerment, and cultural pride.
    The conversation also touches on the importance of multigenerational leadership, the festivals efforts to foster young talent, and the significance of maintaining artistic spaces that affirm Black life and imagination. Oray invites listeners to attend the festival and be part of a living cultural tradition rooted in resistance, resilience, and celebration.
    later on in the show we pay tribute to Tupac Amaru Shakur who would've been 54 years old today
    55 min
  • HKR: Hard Knock Radio Monday June 9 2025 Immigration standoff in LA
    In this urgent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D speaks with frontline organizers about the wave of mass deportations sweeping through California, especially Los Angeles. With over 2,500 people arrested in just days, the show unpacks how the Trump-aligned agenda"led by advisor Stephen Miller"is weaponizing fear, ICE raids, and racist rhetoric to criminalize entire communities.
    Guests Alex Sanchez (Homies Unidos), George Galvis (CURYJ/All of Us or None), and Melina Abdullah (BLM"Grassroots) describe street-level terror: people pulled from homes, schools, and job sites; peaceful protests met with tear gas and arrests; and communities living in fear"regardless of immigration status.
    Galvis reframes the issue through an Indigenous lens, reminding listeners: We didnt cross the border. The border crossed us. He warns that California"home to progressive movements and the worlds fourth-largest economy"is being intentionally targeted as part of a broader MAGA plan to dismantle resistance.
    Sanchez and Abdullah emphasize how easily words like criminal become weapons, used to justify raids on workers and parents. They call for intentional solidarity"especially from U.S. citizens and white allies"to take frontline roles, disrupt fear narratives, and build unified resistance across race, gender, and immigration status.
    This is not just about immigrants. Its about state violence, displacement, and a test of collective resolve. The call is clear: Stand up now"or risk losing more than we know.
    55 min
  • HKR: Hard Knock Radio Monday June 2 2025 Equipto and Bored Stiff Documentary
    In this special episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sits down with long-time San Francisco artist and activist Equipto, a vital figure in the Bay Area's underground hip hop scene. Known for his work with the legendary collective Bored Stiff and his frontline activism as a member of the Frisco 5, Equipto reflects on his journey as both emcee and organizer.
    55 min

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# Beyond the Blue Wave: Black Political Power, Accountability, and the Fight for Real Change