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Kali Akuno on Media Influence and Grassroots Empowerment
In an era where disinformation often overshadows truth, the voice of Kali Akuno resonates as a beacon for political education and social justice. This special segment from KPFA’s Hard Knock Radio, hosted by Davey D, explores the intricate dynamics between media influence and grassroots movements, focusing on the profound impact of digital platforms on public perception and reality.
Disinformation and Digital Platforms
Davey D begins by highlighting the alarming trend of disinformation proliferating across social media. This phenomenon treats facts as disposable commodities, amplified by anonymous influencers and artificial intelligence (AI) personas that target iconic figures such as Assata Shakur and members of the Black Panther Party. Akuno traces these attacks to well-funded, right-wing astroturfing campaigns aimed at Black and Latino communities, citing examples like ADOS/FBA. He argues that platform algorithms serve as traps, creating “information cul-de-sacs” where users are confined to echo chambers.
The rise of deepfakes and the manipulation of reality through digital means underscore a broader agenda to control what people believe and perceive. In this context, Akuno references Peter Thiel’s influence and neoreactionary strategies associated with Curtis Yarvin. He points out how Palantir-style surveillance infrastructure now underpins federal decision-making, positioning figures like J.D. Vance as successors in the MAGA movement.
Case Study: Jackson, Mississippi
Shifting focus from media to material conditions, Akuno uses Jackson, Mississippi, as a case study to illustrate systemic oppression and state-engineered control. He describes a strategy of “starve the city, then blame the victims,” which intensified as Jackson became majority-Black. The manipulation of courts—overlooked by Democrats—enabled significant rollbacks in civil rights.
A narrative from the Wall Street Journal lauds the so-called “Jackson Plan” without acknowledging its roots in decades-long denial of infrastructure funding while allocating unlimited resources to policing. Akuno critiques this whitewashed portrayal, revealing a strategy that prioritizes control and surveillance over community welfare.
Strategies for Change
Faced with platform gatekeeping and algorithmic suppression of quality content, Akuno is candid about the lack of a clear formula for overcoming these challenges. His dual-pronged prescription involves building an autonomous social-digital commons—owning servers, platforms, and data—and reinvesting in on-the-ground organizing. This includes developing radio and shortwave grids to bypass digital chokepoints.
The conversation concludes by linking initiatives like the Jackson-Kush Plan and Cooperation Jackson to broader strategies such as mutual aid, cooperatives, unions, and makerspaces. Akuno emphasizes that while these elements exist, disciplined coordination at scale is crucial for effective change.
Looking Ahead
Akuno argues that Project 2025 represents the empire’s counter-strategy to the 2020 uprisings, executed with precision but fraught with internal contradictions and potential austerity-driven vulnerabilities by 2026. Davey D underscores that true power lies in collective action rather than reliance on singular leaders.
Kali Akuno credits a broad network of comrades and elders for their shared commitment to this ongoing struggle, framing it as an urgent endeavor to protect democracy and build something transformative beyond it.
Conclusion
Hard Knock Radio continues its mission to provide insightful discourse on pressing social issues. As KPFA’s flagship Hip-Hop talk show, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson, it remains a platform for community engagement without corporate influence. Tune in to explore more discussions that challenge the status quo and inspire action.