On a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D welcomed Kali Akuno, co-founder of Cooperation Jackson in Mississippi, for an in-depth conversation about the political landscape following the latest elections. Known for his activism and work promoting cooperative economics, Akuno shared his analysis of the election results and the rising tide of neo-confederate and fascist forces in the U.S.
The Neo-Confederates Are Going to Sweep
Akuno explained that while the election results were not surprising, they were deeply concerning. “I thought the Dems would be more competitive, but the neo-confederates and the fascists were about to execute a full sweep,” he said. Akuno emphasized that the political right has been organizing for years, strengthening its position to ensure that when the moment arrived, they could push forward with their agenda. He pointed to the development of “Project 2025,” a comprehensive plan by right-wing groups to secure and solidify their power. “They’ve been working on that for years… and now they are about to ram that program down our throats,” Akuno stated.
The Failure of the Democratic Party
The conversation then shifted to the Democratic Party’s role in the election, particularly regarding its failure to address the economic concerns of marginalized communities. Akuno was blunt: “The Dems have been lying to themselves and the public,” he said. He criticized the party for not listening to its broad coalition of voters on issues like healthcare, economic justice, and decriminalization. Instead, he argued, the party prioritized foreign policy issues, particularly its unwavering support for Israel, over the pressing needs of Black, Latino, and other working-class communities.
“The Dems made a decision that defending Israel was more important than winning this election,” Akuno stated. He added that this disconnect was evident in the low voter turnout, particularly among Black and Latino voters. “People just weren’t motivated to go out and vote for Kamala when they felt like their voices weren’t being heard on the ground,” Akuno noted.
Fascism’s Rise and the Role of Big Tech
As the conversation deepened, Akuno connected the dots between the rise of fascism and the role that Big Tech companies are playing in this political shift. He argued that technology has played a central role in amplifying political fragmentation and disinformation. “These companies have been perfecting how to fragment society,” he said, referring to the influence of tech giants like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Peter Thiel. Akuno warned that as the right-wing agenda becomes more entrenched, these tech companies will continue to enable and sustain it.
“The marriage between Big Tech and the fascists is a critical one,” Akuno remarked. He elaborated on how these corporate forces are positioning themselves to control the future of governance through technology, particularly AI, which is being used to predict and control behavior. “They want to have control over the new machinery of the State,” he said, suggesting that this growing alliance could undermine democratic institutions in favor of a more authoritarian regime.
Preparing for What’s Ahead
Akuno ended the conversation with a call to action for communities to prepare for the challenges ahead. He emphasized the importance of building solidarity networks focused on mutual aid, food sovereignty, and local defense. “We need to start figuring out how to engage in basic self-care and medical treatment,” he advised. “But most critically, we need to build deep relationships with our neighbors and communities. We can’t rely on the system; we have to organize from the ground up.”
He also urged listeners to think beyond the digital realm and return to more traditional, low-tech means of communication. “Face-to-face meetings and community engagement are key,” Akuno stressed. “We need to build relationships so strong that they can’t be easily infiltrated or destroyed.”
Akuno’s appearance on Hard Knock Radio highlighted the urgency of organizing for a future that may be shaped by rising authoritarianism. His warnings, based on years of organizing experience, call for a deep rethinking of how we engage with both the political system and each other in the face of increasingly extreme political pressures.
To hear more from Kali Akuno and support his work, follow him on social media at @Kali_Akuno or visit Cooperation Jackson’s website at cooperationjackson.org.
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