KPFA - Hard Knock Radio

Hard Knock Radio | KPFA 94.1 FM The 2026 midterm elections sparked conversations about shifting political power, but what role did Asian Americans play, and how does their growing influence intersect with the long history of Black political organizing? On Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D spoke with veteran journalist Marian Chia-Ming Liu and longtime Bay Area organizer Eddy Zheng about Asian American political power, immigration, economic inequality, and the importance of building lasting Black and Asian solidarity. Reporting from Florida, Liu highlighted the rapid growth of Asian American communities, noting that Florida’s Asian population increased 48.4% between 2014 and 2024. Yet despite their expanding numbers, Asian Americans remain largely overlooked by political parties and mainstream election polling. “Too often are we just seen as a monolith and very much flattened in terms of identity,” Liu explained. She pointed to Florida candidate Angie Nixon, whose multilingual campaign outreach included Mandarin, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, as an example of coalition building that recognizes diverse communities. Davey D pushed the conversation beyond electoral representation, questioning whether electing more people of color necessarily translates into political power for working-class communities. He raised the complicated politics of racial firsts, asking whether voters sometimes prioritize candidates who look like them over their actual political positions. Zheng connected these questions to the broader struggle for Black political power, emphasizing that African Americans have historically been called upon to confront injustice and defend democracy. He argued that Asian American communities must recognize their shared struggles with Black communities around immigration enforcement, incarceration, economic exploitation, and systemic racism. “There’s a lack of investment, really, for people of color, into investing this idea and the practices of multiracial democracy, right, and racial solidarity,” Zheng observed. The conversation also challenged media narratives that amplify Black and Asian tensions while overlooking decades of cooperation and community organizing. Zheng stressed that solidarity cannot simply emerge during election cycles. “When we talk about moving at the speed of trust, you know, it takes years,” he explained. The discussion ultimately raised a larger question: Can the growing political influence of Asian Americans strengthen Black political power and expand multiracial coalitions, or will communities remain divided by competing political interests? For Davey D and his guests, the challenge extends beyond the blue wave. The real work is transforming electoral victories into lasting political power through education, accountability, and organized solidarity. The post Beyond the Blue Wave: The Asian American Vote, and the Fight for Racial Solidarity appeared first on KPFA.

On Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D spoke with Oakland resident Zakiya Jendy, who is fighting to reclaim a home she says was wrongfully taken through Alameda County’s probate court system. The conversation exposed troubling allegations of judicial misconduct, excessive legal fees, and a system Jendy believes is stripping Black and Brown families of their generational wealth. Davey D opened by connecting Jendy’s experience to similar cases previously covered on the show involving Black homeowners in Brooklyn. While the methods differ, Jendy argued that the outcome is the same: families losing homes they legally inherited, often properties that have already been paid off. Jendy detailed her decade-long legal battle involving the estate of Dr. Laura Dean Head, a longtime San Francisco State University professor and her mentor of 28 years. According to Jendy, Head established an irrevocable trust naming her as beneficiary. However, two estranged siblings challenged the trust years after Head’s death. Although Jendy said allegations of forgery and mental incapacity were rejected, the court ultimately invalidated the trust based on a finding of undue influence. She strongly disputes that ruling and argues that the resulting appellate decision, Hamlin v. Jenday, threatens the protections families expect from estate planning. The conversation also examined how prolonged probate disputes can financially devastate families. Jendy cited cases involving multimillion-dollar estates where, she alleged, enormous legal expenses consumed nearly everything, leaving heirs with relatively little. One of the interview’s most disturbing moments came when Jendy described an August confrontation involving Alameda County sheriff’s deputies attempting to remove her from her home. She also recounted her subsequent arrest and the emotional toll of fighting to retain her property. Davey D shared his family’s own experience with a contested estate in Florida, underscoring how quickly legal challenges can drain family resources. Jendy called for an independent investigation into her case, reforms to California’s probate system, and greater public awareness. She encouraged listeners to examine court documents posted at ProtectYourTrust.org. Her central message was clear: protecting generational wealth requires confronting a legal system she believes has failed the very families it should protect. Editorial note: The allegations of fraud, misconduct, and systemic abuse are attributed to Jendy. The transcript presents her account but does not independently establish those claims or include responses from the courts and other parties involved. 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 Oakland Woman Sounds Alarm Over Alleged Deed Theft, Probate Court Abuses, and the Loss of Black Generational Wealth appeared first on KPFA.

What does liberation look like when the systems we seek to escape have shaped how we understand freedom itself? On Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D explored this question with Indigenous activists Melinda Grisby, known as Brown Girl Pride, Joey Williams, a California Native organizer and tribal leader, and Nick Tilsen, founder of NDN Collective and longtime Land Back organizer. The conversation challenged conventional understandings of liberation, particularly those rooted in capitalism, socialism, and Marxism, while examining Indigenous sovereignty as a framework centered on relationships, collective responsibility, and stewardship of the land. Grisby emphasized that Indigenous sovereignty means more than reclaiming territory. It requires restoring tribal self-determination, protecting ecosystems, and respecting Indigenous consent. She challenged socialist and communist movements that advocate collective ownership of factories, mines, and resources without asking whether Indigenous nations want those industries operating on their ancestral lands. Tilsen described Land Back as an abolitionist movement rather than a property acquisition campaign. Drawing from Lakota teachings that emphasize the interconnectedness of all life, he argued that genuine liberation requires dismantling systems built on domination and replacing them with governance rooted in accountability, cooperation, and mutual care. Williams connected these principles to California’s violent colonial history, including forced displacement, the mission system, and the destruction of Indigenous languages and communities. He highlighted traditional village economies built around collective survival while stressing the importance of tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and solidarity with other oppressed communities. Davey D pressed his guests on difficult questions: Can people conditioned by colonialism embrace collective responsibility? How do communities confront those determined to maintain power and domination? And what role should spirituality play in rebuilding relationships with the land? The guests emphasized education, community defense, ancestral knowledge, and spiritual reconnection as essential steps toward meaningful change. Ultimately, the discussion presented Indigenous sovereignty not as an effort to remove non-Indigenous populations, but as an invitation to fundamentally rethink how humanity lives, governs, shares resources, and relates to Mother Earth. 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 Indigenous Sovereignty: Land Back, Liberation, and Reimagining a World Beyond Colonialism appeared first on KPFA.

Hard Knock Radio | Davey D with Dr. James Taylor and Tef Poe The sweeping Democratic victories in last Tuesday’s midterm elections have sparked celebrations nationwide, but what do these results mean for Black communities and working-class people? On Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D brought together political scientist Dr. James Taylor and Ferguson activist and Hip Hop artist Tef Poe for a spirited discussion about Black political power, voter suppression, and the challenges of holding newly elected officials accountable. Tef Poe offered a perspective from Missouri, where voters, he explained, have repeatedly resisted efforts to restrict reproductive rights. He challenged the assumption that Missouri is inherently conservative, pointing to progressive ballot initiatives and working-class concerns often overlooked by Democratic Party leadership. Drawing from his experiences during the Ferguson uprising, Poe emphasized that meaningful change requires sustained grassroots organizing rather than simply electing Democrats. Dr. James Taylor viewed the election results as a historic demonstration of Black political maturity. He highlighted the extraordinary participation of Black voters, particularly Black women, and celebrated their role in reshaping Georgia’s political landscape. “We didn’t turn Georgia blue, they turned Georgia Black,” Taylor declared. But Davey D pushed the conversation beyond representation, questioning whether historic victories automatically translate into progressive policies. Citing Barack Obama, Keisha Lance Bottoms, and Hakeem Jeffries, he challenged the notion that criticizing Black elected officials should be considered anti-Black. Taylor acknowledged those concerns while arguing that symbolic victories carry enormous psychological importance. He pointed to the Civil Rights Movement’s pressure on Lyndon Johnson as evidence that organized communities can force political leaders toward progressive policies. Poe remained skeptical, citing the disappointments surrounding Ferguson-era electoral victories and the treatment of former Congresswoman Cori Bush. He called for stronger multiracial, working-class coalitions centered on healthcare, economic justice, and opposition to militarism. Despite their differences, all three agreed that elections are only the beginning. The real test will be whether communities remain organized, demand accountability, and turn electoral victories into meaningful improvements in people’s lives. The post Beyond the Blue Wave: Black Political Power, Accountability, and the Fight for Real Change appeared first on KPFA.

Listen to the show HERE Hard Knock Radio | KPFA 94.1 FM | Davey D Detroit-born poet, author, and cultural activist Jessica Care Moore has spent decades pushing the boundaries of spoken word. Now she’s bringing poetry to the dance floor with her new house music album, The House That Poems Built. During a lively conversation on Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D explored the album’s creative origins, its celebration of Detroit’s musical pioneers, and the importance of preserving Black cultural history. Moore explained that the project had been brewing for nearly 20 years. Having previously explored jazz, soul, and rock, she wanted to create music that would allow audiences to dance to her poetry without sacrificing its political and cultural substance. A central theme was honoring Detroit’s often-overlooked musical architects. Moore reflected on the late Amp Fiddler, whose mentorship helped launch J Dilla‘s career and influenced countless musicians. Her son, King Moore, produced the album’s tribute to Fiddler, who had personally helped nurture King’s musical development. The conversation also celebrated techno pioneer Juan Atkins and challenged the persistent erasure of Black contributions to electronic dance music. Moore emphasized that techno emerged from Detroit’s Black working-class communities, reflecting the city’s industrial landscape, creativity, and resilience. Her track “Detroit Is the Old Black” serves as a declaration of that history. Moore also discussed the album’s collaborative spirit, highlighting contributions from DJ Remarkable, Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale, John Dixon, and Japanese American activist and performer Nobuko Miyamoto. King Moore contributed four tracks, making the project a family affair. Beyond music, Moore stressed the importance of artists preserving their archives while they’re alive. Inspired by an exhibition honoring Amp Fiddler, she created her own interactive exhibition documenting three decades of artistic work. The interview concluded with Moore encouraging artists to continually revisit their writing, recognizing that older poems can find new meaning through different musical settings. Moore will celebrate the album with a free listening party Sunday, November 8, at San Francisco’s Madrone Art Bar, featuring a performance by King Moore and music presented by Davey D. For Moore, the mission remains clear: preserve the culture, honor its pioneers, and keep creating.   The post Jessica Care Moore Brings Poetry to the Dance Floor While Celebrating Detroit’s Black Musical Legacy appeared first on KPFA.