...Or So I Thought... Hush Money

Mere moments after finishing getting interviewed, I knew who I needed to reach out to. He was only one person that entered my mind and for good reason. His book, Plantation Theory, had opened my eyes to racism and bullying in a way I had never experienced.

I quickly opened up LinkedIn and sent him a message. "John? I need a favor,' I asked. 'What's up Dan?' he responded quicker than usual. 'I just got off an interviewed with a LinkedIn News Reporter and her next piece is on workplace bullying. Do you have anyone you recommend she speak to?' I responded. Instantaneously he quipped back, 'Jaquie Abram.'

Jacquie was not a name new to me, but one I had not heard in some time. I immediately looked her up and remembered that she was an author and through looking back at our conversation, my memory had become vivid.

During the time I had gotten to know Jacquie I was having book after book thrown at me. Everything from, 'White Fragility,' to 'Caste' and others. So while I always try to support authors I know, it had really flew by my mind to order the book and give it to read.

The other part is that while it is sad to admit with a background in journalism, I spend way more of my time writing than reading. The last time I had read a book cover to cover in a day was nearly 20 years ago when I read 'Tuesdays with Morrie,' by Mitch Albom.

I didn't really expect that to change...or so I thought.

When Listening to Mr. John Graham Jr is a Good Thing...

Given John's strong recommendation, I immediately put Jacquie in contact with LinkedIn News Reporter, Ciarra Maraj. They hit it off and agreed to meet to discuss the article on bullying in the workforce.

However, hearing John's response and reconnecting with Jacquie put her book not only back on my radar but I had a strong desire to read it.

I asked her where to find the book and she told me it was on sale on Amazon. I let her know that while I appreciated that, I really wanted to know where I could buy the book that all the profit would go to her. This is something I am extremely passionate about as when you sell a book through a third party, they often take a bulk percentage. I just do not feel that is right.

Soon after, I Venmo'd Jacquie $50 for both books, which she graciously signed and let me know that she would send me tracking information.

The level of appreciation Jacquie showed me took me back. It was my HONOR to speak to her yet she spoke to me as if I was the one doing her some huge favor.

Between her compassion, John's recommendation and feeling like I had known her forever, I immediately introduced Jacquie to three more close friends. Jen Buck, Desiree Stephens and Justice Hewlett who is a DEI Program Manager at Amazon.

I knew they would have a lot to talk about and I was right.

Hush Money Arrives

About a week later, Hush Money showed up on my doorstep. I opened the books excited and read Jacquie's kind inscription. I set the books on my nightstand promising to read them within a few days...or so I thought...

Despite my best efforts life got in the way and up until this morning I still had not gotten to the books. But then, just as Jacquie's mom stated, things happened when they were supposed to. This morning I was booked to be interviewed on a podcast specifically discussing being a White Abolitionist. The Podcast host, name Ambition is a Black former Marine who served at a time most Marine's were still of light complexion.

The conversation invigorated me. While DEI is always a touchy subject, it is something that flows through my veins. This is my life's work, my mission and so by the end of the interview I was eager to further my education.

At that moment I spotted Hush Money. I waited another hour until my kids went down for their nap. I picked up the book and started reading, I figured I would read for an hour and stop...or so I thought...

I Can't Put This Down

As I started reading, a few things captured my attention. The first is that Jacquie's writing does something very few authors have the capability of doing. As you read, a vivid image is projected in your mind. Every action, every emotion plays out like it is a living breathing movie in your neuroses.

The other thing I noticed is that by the time I first paused, I was 20 pages in. I had been drawn in and now I had a compulsion to read on. I NEEDED to read on. I had to learn about what happened. I had to see how she made it through the horrible inequity of the situation she was forced to endure.

I found myself wanting to be protective over Jacquie. I wanted to step in and stand up for her against the blatant and reckless racism she was forced to endure.

Tears streamed down my eyes as I read about her mother. Anger came over me as she talked about her salary, knowing full well the small increases in salary she made were nothing compared to what she should have been making when you consider the gender and racial wealth gap.

Then I rejoiced in the last chapter...

The Aftermath

After 5 hours and reading through my children taking a bath, through having dinner and multiple tantrums, I finished the book.

I had read it cover to cover in the blink of an eye. I was overcome by emotion. I desperately wanted to call Jacquie. Instead, I sent her a three minute voice message. The details of that message are between her and I but I can tell you it was full of gratitude and emotion.

I then left John a voicemail. I needed to thank him. Out of the three books I consider truly having changed my life, two were because of his recommendations.

I then texted my friend Jen Buck and told her to read Hush Money with a box of Kleenex.

The other feeling I had was an overwhelming urge to write.

I am inspired and want to tell the world.

So I came up to my bedroom, told my wife movie night would have to start an hour late and began writing this article...unsure of what was going to come out but absolutely sure that once my fingers touched the computer, they were not going to stop until I was able to fully express myself in the moment.

As a writer, this is what I do. This is how I communicate.

What Do I Expect to Come of This?

It is perfectly natural if your reaction to reading this is to wonder what my goal is... Am I trying to get her book sold? Is this a PR piece?

The answer is I didn't start writing with any notion of what I wanted to accomplish. She clearly does not need a PR piece as her book and experience has been featured by far more noteworthy news outlets than myself.

Through experience, I know that unless someone has an open mind and is ready to listen that not many white individuals will take my advice, buy the book and actually read it.

I can't claim to know what Jacquie went through because while I am an Abolitionist, I am not Black and will never truly understand her lived experience. So what can I do?

What I can do is exactly what I am. I can continue to never be silent. I can continue to hope, even for a moment that the world is more open than it actually is...that people will read stories like John's...like Jacquie's. That people will realize that these are your brothers and sisters that are having to bare ruthless baseless bigotry just because their skin is a different tone... and actually take a stand against it.

Jacquie, John, Future, Liz, Ashanti, Desiree, Simone...They should not have to be the ones to teach you about what they go through. White individuals should be doing it on our own.

We should be living in a society that is kind and tolerant and respectful and for the love of G-d we should ALL be sent some damn hoodies.

Even though I have no expectations, I am going to end with this...Silence is acceptance...if you think the history of America is the one you learned about in school, it is time to wake up.

Buy Hush Money, Order Plantation Theory and make sure you buy it from the actual authors instead of adding to some billionaires bank account.

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~Dan Roth