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.