KPFA - Hard Knock Radio

On today’s show we present audio from Kwame Toure also known as Stokely Carmichael.

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.

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In this episode of Hard Knock Radio hosted by Davey D, the conversation involved Tarik Excentrik of the musical group Shadow Band and Zahra Billoo, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in the San Francisco Bay Area. The discussion addressed the complexities surrounding misinformation, solidarity, and free speech within the context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Key points included the challenges faced by Palestinian students and activists, particularly in relation to targeted attacks and hate crimes. The participants talked about the role of Jewish allies and stressed the importance of reporting such incidents to foster a more informed and responsive community.

A significant part of the dialogue revolved around an incident involving Malak Afaneh, co-president of Berkeley Law Students for Justice in Palestine, and Professor Katherine Fisk. Malak accused Professor Fisk of attempting to silence her views during a confrontation, which led to broader discussions about free speech and the rights to speak on contentious issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The group discussed the specific challenges faced by Palestinian law students and activists, especially in their advocacy for divestment from weapons manufacturers amidst rising Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism on campuses. The conversation also touched on how anti-Semitic statements can be conflated with legitimate criticism of Israel or Palestine, exploring the repercussions for students voicing their perspectives.

Zahra Billoo highlighted the activism of the Students for Justice in Palestine at UC Berkeley, commending their bravery in challenging established liberal norms. Concerns about individuals being blacklisted for opposing Israeli policies were also discussed, along with the broader challenges faced by marginalized communities in the spheres of art and politics. The necessity of supporting artists who tackle issues like Palestine and the tactics used to suppress dissenting voices were key focal points. Zahra concluded by mentioning her upcoming events, signaling ongoing engagement with these critical issues.

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 UC Berkeley Professor Assaults Palestinian Muslim Law Student Exercising Free Speech Rights appeared first on KPFA.

We speak with medical student and myth-buster Joel Bervell about Congressman Greg Murphy’s bill to ban DEI in medicine. Later Poor News Network explores America’s war on the financially disenfranchised.

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 Congressman Greg Murphy’s bill to ban DEI in medicine and Poor News Network appeared first on KPFA.

We speak with Professor Hatem Bazian about the constant attacks on Gaza by Israeli military forces.

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 Crisis in Gaza and Voices of Resistance 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 Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras: A History of Blaxploitation Cinema appeared first on KPFA.

Daryle Lamont Jenkins and Davey D discussed the recent activities of the Proud Boys, a far-right group, and their increasing aggression, as well as the lack of recognition of successful black figures as role models. They also delved into a critical assessment of the Trump administration, issues related to identity representation, and the reactions of certain individuals to the rise of far-right groups. Lastly, they discussed the cultural white supremacy movement, the growing influence of far-right figures, their disillusionment with the Democratic Party’s handling of Trump’s presidency, and the need for accountability in the past, present, and future.

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.

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On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, Davey D and Pierre Labossiere from the Haiti Action Committee really dove into what’s going down in Haiti, and let me tell you, it’s a lot. They kicked off talking about Haiti’s past, how it’s the first Black republic to kick slavery to the curb in the 1700s, and how it’s been dealing with a whole mess of stuff ever since, especially with how the US has been meddling in its affairs.

Davey D was like, “Man, this situation in Haiti is complex,” pointing out the rich yet turbulent history of the place. And Pierre? He layered on more, talking about how Haiti’s roots are in this incredible fight for freedom by Africans, and ever since, it’s been uphill, battling against being pushed around by Western countries.

They didn’t shy away from the tough parts, either. Pierre brought up how Haiti’s been fighting against outsiders trying to take advantage of their resources and people. It’s not just about being poor; it’s about resisting a history of being controlled and exploited, with the backdrop of colonialism making everything extra complicated.

Then, things got real intense when Pierre shared this audio from a rich guy in Haiti, talking about starting a war against the Black population to make Haiti “French” again. This wasn’t just some idle threat – it happened in 2016, and they’re planning to get this out to everyone through Hard Knock Radio. Davey D was especially concerned about how the term “gangs” is misused to make Black Haitians look bad.

The talk took a turn to the shady side of things, pointing out how the US has been arming the wrong folks in Haiti, leading to a cycle of corruption and violence. They named names, pointing to US-trained guys who ended up running crime rings in Haiti, and how this has been part of a bigger problem of violence and oppression in the country.

But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Davey D and Pierre also highlighted the Haitian solidarity movement, reminding us that this isn’t just about Haiti – it’s a global issue. They’re continuing the convo with a big event, bringing in speakers and performers to keep the momentum going.

In essence, what Pierre and Davey D got into was how Haiti’s been fighting forever for its right to be sovereign and independent, against all odds. They made it clear this isn’t just Haiti’s fight; it’s a call for solidarity from everyone who believes in fighting for what’s right.

Translation of video/death threat:

“My friends, they are making us sit here, waiting. Results [election] that should have been public since 4:00 p.m., everyone is rushing home; 5:00, 6:00 p.m. then they cut off the power. Still no results were made public; 7:00 p.m. worse. There is nothing that we can do, we have to wait. One thing that they need to know is that all power comes from God and if they do the injustice that they are trying to do to Jovenel Moise since he is a peasant, a son of the land, a son of the people, they are trying to do him an injustice; woe unto these people.

All of them will die one after the other. You will remember what I am telling you right now. Beginning with the people who are determined to challenge Jovenel from taking power, they will die, they will find their death, they will find their death. A death that will come to snatch him/her, take him/her away without much talking. Thank you.”

Translation of voice message:

“…We have more rights to this country because we are the descendants of the French. We do not have to be afraid of any Lavalas thrash that is trying to scare us to leave the country. The riches of the country are in our hands, we are the owners of the banks, we are the owners of the hospitals, we are the ones who control the commerce. We are the ones who own all that this country has in terms of wealth. We cannot let little Aristide and all his little dirty tramps destroy us.

We have to stand up and defend ourselves. They have rocks, we have weapons, we cannot be afraid to speak to them. If we let them act and we do nothing, they will destroy us. They are saying that we have no right to this country, it was Dessalines who had fought. I will let them know that Petion had fought also and we are the descendants of Petion. Our position is that the struggle must begin. If we cannot put Jovenel Moise as our President to defend us, we will reduce this country to ashes.

All the wealth that we acquired in this country, we have sent it abroad for safekeeping – [gasp from radio host]. We have assets in other countries, we have houses everywhere so that we are not afraid of fighting against them. We are not going to show our faces when we fight them. We will pay them, those among them – because they are a bunch of hungry, a bunch of “chimeres”, a bunch of dirty people. With the money we have made, we can again pay them to fight among themselves so that we can take control of this country.

This country belongs to us; we are the descendants of the French who died and left it for us. They must go back to Africa. We have control of the economy, we have control of the commerce, we have control over the country, we have to take control also of the politics. Politics is the power of weapons, we are not afraid to take up arms; we have to fight against them.

I heard that they have said that they will reduce the country to ashes, I have started to send all my children abroad. I told them to go, I will stay because if I don’t stay it will not be good; I have to stay and fight against them too. I will not be in the streets fighting against them; with the money I have I will take a little group from among the “chimeres” to make them fight against each other so that we can destroy them one after the other.

Okay, these people do not belong to the land of Haiti, they are Africans, they have to return to Africa where they are in the midst of hunger, bunch of dirty people, bunch of filthy, bunch of “chimeres”; you understand. And Aristide, again we have to take him and send him away again so that we gain complete control of the country, totally. Whenever this man is in the country, he prevents us from living, you understand what I am telling you. He prevents us from making money the way we should make money. Black people do not need money to live; light-complexioned people who have the capabilities to live have more needs than they do. For them any small amount of grits, rice that they eat, their belly is full and they engage in sexual activities and have babies. You understand what I am saying to you.

We do not have to be afraid, the struggle is for us too; we have more right to the land than they do. We are the direct descendants of white people from France; they came from Africa, they were in slavery. You understand what I am telling you; we do not have to fear them. We will not stand face to face with them to fight, we will utilize their very own. The ones who have been to school you can already see how we buy them off. Any money that you give them and tell them to say any crap on TV and on the radio, they say it. Why are we afraid?

We have to begin to show ourselves. We see Michel Martelly [former president, 2011 – 2016] came out and fought against them for five years. How come we are afraid? Why are we afraid? Okay, I am trying to utilize Jovenel Moise [Martelly’s handpicked successor] so that I can gain more access to [political] power. They want to destroy us, we are in blood, we are in battle. Each one has to contact another to pass on the message no matter where we are. We are descendants of the French and France stands with us and states that it will give us support. Why are we afraid?

Why are we afraid? We don’t see that in 2004 we had gotten rid of the tramp named Aristide. You cannot see that bombs were dropped on Cite Soleil. We will bomb them again. They took this area, where is it again…? They destroyed it, built little houses on top of little houses in Petionville; we have to destroy this area, drop bombs on them and then we will have our peace. You understand what I am telling you. We have to pass on the message from one to the other, we are not supposed to be afraid.

II see that Acra made a public statement and everyone is all excited. My declaration is more inflamatory; they do not know my name, they do not know who is speaking. We need to pass on the message. The same way that they use the media to scare us, we need to speak to them also. They are a bunch of dirty people, barefoot people. Even when they go to school they remain stupid because we can utilize them in any way we want to. Why are we afraid of them? We have money; people who have money have monopoly over everything. What is going on, you don’t see how much money we have spent to make Jovenel Moise president; about $50 million to make Jovenel Moise president. We can do anything we want in this country, we are the ones who have the money. What are we afraid of? And we have powerful weapons; why are we afraid?

I am asking all the French descendants in the country to stand up, send their children abroad for the time being to the United States and France, and for us to stand up because we have money. We need to put up our money to fight against Lavalas because we will not allow them to be in power again. We all must stand up, there can be no cowards. If Petion were a coward after we killed Dessalines; wasn’t the country divided into two, Christophe governing in the north, as a “mulatto” Petion was governing in the South. What is it? Didn’t we govern?

Pass on the message by word of mouth. We will put our money together and take over the country. We will kick them out and make Haiti a country of light-complexioned people like the Dominican Republic. We will eliminate the majority of the black people and make the remaining few have relations with “mulattos” so that we have a country with light-complexioned people similar to the Dominican Republic. This bunch of dirty people, we have to chase them out, we have to destroy them okay. Do not be afraid. We will utilize Jovenel Moise, it is our money that will make him president. We will use our money, we will still spend more money so that he can move forward. – [END of voice message]

Commentary by host of Radio Timoun morning show at the end of this re-broadcast, July 2018

Thank you very much, thank you. We have heard what they call class [inaudible]. It is a struggle of classes that he has just expressed; the struggle of classes that he will wage…[recording ends]

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 How Foreign Influences Impact Haiti’s Future appeared first on KPFA.

We speak with Paul Alexander about his book Bitter Crop: The Heartache and Triumph of Billie Holiday’s Last Year. In the first biography of Billie Holiday in more than two decades, Paul Alexander “author of heralded lives of Sylvia Plath and J. D. Salinger” gives us an unconventional portrait of arguably Americas most eminent jazz singer. He shrewdly focuses on the last year of her life” with relevant flashbacks to provide context” to evoke and examine the persistent magnificence of Holidays artistry when it was supposed to have declined, in the wake of her drug abuse, relationships with violent men, and run-ins with the law.

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 Bitter Crop: The Heartache and Triumph of Billie Holiday’s Last Year appeared first on KPFA.

In this episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D engaged with hip-hop trailblazers Debbie D, the genre’s first female solo emcee, and Sheri Sher, a founding member of the pioneering all-women hip-hop group Mercedes Ladies. This discussion set the stage for the upcoming “Fresh and So Bold” conference at Lincoln Center on April 6th, dedicated to celebrating the indispensable contributions of women to hip-hop. The conversation explored the historical and ongoing impact of female artists in hip-hop, with personal insights from Debbie D and Sheri Sher on their experiences and the obstacles they’ve overcome in the industry.

Themes of recognition, authenticity, and the significance of documenting hip-hop’s evolution were central to the discussion. The dialogue also highlighted the broader cultural and societal implications of women’s roles within hip-hop, underscoring the genre’s deep ties to African American heritage and community. As anticipation for “Fresh and So Bold” builds, the episode serves as a poignant reminder of the vital legacy and continued influence of women in shaping hip-hop’s narrative.

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 The Pioneering All-Women Hip-Hop Group Mercedes Ladies appeared first on KPFA.

Davey D and sports columnist Dave Zirin delved into the intersections of sports, culture, and gambling. They highlighted Shohei Ohtani’s historic contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and its implications for sports marketing and athlete influence.

The conversation quickly expanded to the broader impact of gambling scandals on sports integrity, with a focus on the case of referee Tim Donaghy and the pervasive betting culture threatening the authenticity of sports competitions.

Zirin also emphasized the cultural significance and rising popularity of women’s sports, spotlighting athletes like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese for their game-changing performances and societal impact. Throughout, the duo critically examined the power dynamics within sports, the challenges of ownership, and the potential future of sports as entertainment influenced by gambling. This rich dialogue underscored the complexity of sports as a reflection of societal issues and the importance of maintaining integrity and authenticity in athletic competition.

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.

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