### Hard Knock Radio: Malcolm X's 100th Birthday with Dr. Jared Ball

#### Overview

In this Hard Knock Radio episode, host Davey D is joined by Dr. Jared Ball, author and professor, for a deep conversation marking the 100th birthday of Malcolm X. Dr. Ball, who co-edited *A Lie of Reinvention: Correcting Manning Marable's Malcolm X*, shares his insights on the ongoing battle to preserve and accurately represent Malcolm's legacy. The discussion touches on the radical, revolutionary aspects of Malcolm Xs politics and the attempts to sanitize his legacy for mainstream consumption.

#### Key Discussion Points

1. **Malcolm X's Legacy and Rebranding Efforts**
Dr. Ball explores how Malcolm Xs legacy is continually rebranded to make him more palatable to the powers that be. He highlights the importance of maintaining the revolutionary core of Malcolm's politics, which calls for structural change, rather than merely focusing on his symbolic representation.

2. **Malcolm Xs Radical Political Philosophy**
The conversation examines the stark contrast between Malcolm Xs revolutionary ideas and the political trajectory of figures like Barack Obama. Dr. Ball emphasizes that Malcolms vision was rooted in anti-imperialism, solidarity with global liberation movements, and a call for Black self-determination, rather than integration into a capitalist system.

3. **Internationalism and Solidarity**
Dr. Ball underscores Malcolms commitment to internationalism, especially his support for decolonization efforts in Africa and the Middle East. The discussion highlights Malcolms firm stance on Palestinian liberation and his advocacy for African unity, which was informed by figures like Kwame Nkrumah and Patrice Lumumba.

4. **The Revolutionary Action Movement (RAM)**
A key topic of the interview is Malcolm Xs connection to the Revolutionary Action Movement (RAM), which aimed to radicalize the Black liberation struggle through urban guerrilla warfare, revolutionary nationalism, and socialism. Dr. Ball stresses the importance of revisiting RAMs history to understand Malcolms evolving political stance.

5. **The Impact of COINTELPRO on Revolutionary Movements**
The episode discusses the efforts of COINTELPRO to dismantle Black radical movements, particularly RAM. Dr. Ball and Davey D talk about how these efforts continue to shape the narrative around Black liberation and the struggle for justice.

#### Recommended Resources

Dr. Ball encourages listeners to engage with all of Malcolm Xs speeches and to revisit the history of the Revolutionary Action Movement. He also suggests looking into the writings of radical Black women who played key roles in Malcolms development, including his mother, Louise Little, and figures like Vicki Garvin and Shirley Graham Du Bois.

#### Conclusion

In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Jared Ball offers invaluable perspectives on the complexities of Malcolm Xs life, legacy, and the political struggles that continue today. This episode serves as a reminder of Malcolms unwavering commitment to global liberation and the ongoing relevance of his revolutionary ideas.

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**Listen to the full interview** for more on Malcolm Xs enduring impact on global struggles for justice and liberation.