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 X’s politics and the attempts to sanitize his legacy for mainstream consumption.
Key Discussion Points
- Malcolm X’s Legacy and Rebranding Efforts
Dr. Ball explores how Malcolm X’s 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. - Malcolm X’s Radical Political Philosophy
The conversation examines the stark contrast between Malcolm X’s revolutionary ideas and the political trajectory of figures like Barack Obama. Dr. Ball emphasizes that Malcolm’s 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. - Internationalism and Solidarity
Dr. Ball underscores Malcolm’s commitment to internationalism, especially his support for decolonization efforts in Africa and the Middle East. The discussion highlights Malcolm’s firm stance on Palestinian liberation and his advocacy for African unity, which was informed by figures like Kwame Nkrumah and Patrice Lumumba. - The Revolutionary Action Movement (RAM)
A key topic of the interview is Malcolm X’s 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 RAM’s history to understand Malcolm’s evolving political stance. - 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 X’s 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 Malcolm’s 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 X’s life, legacy, and the political struggles that continue today. This episode serves as a reminder of Malcolm’s unwavering commitment to global liberation and the ongoing relevance of his revolutionary ideas.