Breaking the Silence: Big Tech, Fascism, and the Grassroots Path Forward

KPFA - Hard Knock Radio

On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D engaged in a powerful conversation with Kali Akuno, co-founder of Cooperation Jackson in Mississippi, on the shifting U.S. political landscape post-election. Known for his dedication to cooperative economics and grassroots organizing, Akuno provided a critical analysis of the election results, forewarning of the rise of neo-Confederate and fascist forces gaining momentum across the country.

“The Neo-Confederates Are Going to Sweep”

Akuno highlighted that, while the results weren’t unexpected, they signal troubling times ahead. “I thought the Dems would be more competitive, but the neo-Confederates and fascists were about to execute a full sweep,” he observed. He emphasized the effectiveness of years of organizing on the political right, mentioning “Project 2025,” a strategic initiative by conservative groups to secure lasting control. “They’ve been building this for years… now they’re about to ram that program down our throats,” he asserted, underscoring the right’s readiness to advance its agenda.

The Democratic Party’s Disconnect

The conversation then shifted to the Democratic Party’s shortcomings, particularly its inability to resonate with economically struggling communities. Akuno didn’t hold back: “The Dems have been lying to themselves and the public,” he critiqued, pointing to the party’s failure to prioritize issues like healthcare, economic justice, and decriminalization. Instead, he argued, the party leaned heavily into foreign policy, notably its unwavering support for Israel, at the expense of pressing domestic concerns affecting Black, Latino, and working-class communities. “The Dems chose defending Israel over winning this election,” Akuno stated, attributing low voter turnout, especially among Black and Latino voters, to this disconnection. “People weren’t motivated to vote when they felt unheard,” he said.

The Role of Big Tech in Fascism’s Rise

Akuno then explored the role of Big Tech in fostering political fragmentation and disinformation, highlighting the influence of figures like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Peter Thiel. “These companies have been perfecting the art of fragmenting society,” he noted. Akuno warned that Big Tech’s alliance with right-wing interests enables a long-term authoritarian shift, with tech tools like AI being used to shape behavior and cement power. “The marriage between Big Tech and fascism is crucial,” he said, describing how tech corporations are positioning themselves as enablers of a future authoritarian governance model.

Preparing for What Lies Ahead

Ending on a call to action, Akuno urged communities to ready themselves for a challenging future by building resilience through mutual aid networks, food sovereignty initiatives, and local defense strategies. “We have to organize from the ground up,” he advised. “We can’t rely on the system; we need to be self-sufficient.” He also stressed the importance of in-person community building over digital reliance: “Face-to-face meetings and strong local relationships are key to resilient networks that are harder to infiltrate.”

Kali Akuno’s discussion on Hard Knock Radio was a wake-up call for listeners, advocating for grassroots organizing and solidarity in preparation for an uncertain political future. To learn more about Akuno’s work, follow him on social media @Kali_Akuno or visit Cooperation Jackson’s website at cooperationjackson.org.

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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