I read “Shakedown” years ago. "Shakedown" is a well-researched and exhaustive book written by investigative journalist Kenneth Timmerman. It walks the reader through the life of Jesse Jackson, from his self-generated myth of growing up dirt poor to his fake "reverend" cred, to his shakedowns of businesses. The “Reverend” Jesse Jackson grifted and bullied his way through corporate boardrooms with one arrow in his quiver: Bend the knee or get kneecapped via the threat of being labeled “racist.” Most companies bent to his threats, like shop owners did to Mafia soldiers demanding “protection money.” Jackson became rich and powerful feeding off that fear – the fear of being called a racist.
The book's dedication seems to include two continents of people:
To the victims of racial brokering from the West Coast of America to the eastern shores of Africa.
The book further details how Jackson's grift played out. Corporations were told that unless they forked over vast amounts of money to Jackson's Rainbow Coalition, Jackson would initiate a boycott. Some of the biggest corporations in America, like Coca-Cola, rolled like a bowling ball. Jackson’s “Operation PUSH” was started in 1971. By the 1980s, it was swinging the wrecking ball. The public claim was that it would “improve the economic status of African Americans in Chicago.” It certainly improved the economics of Jesse Jackson and his family.
The scheme was simple. Set up meetings with representatives of a corporation and give the business a choice: Either pay Jackson via his Operation PUSH or suffer through a boycott, with Jackson labeling the corporation and board members "racist." Maybe Jackson watched "The Godfather" before making his pitch because it was apparently "an offer they couldn't refuse."
After the George Floyd/BLM riots, corporations were clamoring to get in bed with BLM to the tune of $90 million in one year. Before the bed remained; the money is long gone.
Four years ago, media mogul Byron Allen, through his company, Allen Media Group (AMG), sued McDonald's for what was styled as discriminatory (racist) advertising. In short, AMG (Allen) claimed that McDonald's was using a different “tier" for black audiences. I recalled at the time, thinking that the suit smelled of a Jackson-like shakedown. The suit was settled in June. The terms were not disclosed, but based on McDonald's statement, it doesn’t sound like AMG won anything more than what McDonald's was offering (that being ad money). I read their statement as a McDonald's win.
“We are pleased that Mr. Allen has come to appreciate McDonald’s unwavering commitment to inclusion, and has agreed to refocus his energies on a mutually beneficial commercial arrangement that is consistent with other McDonald’s supplier relationships.”
The McDonald's suit followed AMG suing other corporations for pretty much the same thing. Like Jesse Jackson, Byron Allen seems to be a bully. He uses the label “racist” as his cudgel —pay his company in ad buys or get sued.
Being a bully apparently worked, up to now. Verizon is reportedly willing to fight back. According to New York Post sources, Allen has allegedly threatened Verizon and its leadership with the dreaded “RACIST!” label.
The 64-year-old comedian-turned-media executive has likewise pledged to take out ads claiming Verizon, its CEO Hans Vestberg and Chief Marketing Officer Leslie Barland are all “racist,” according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation, who said the threats were verbal.
In an exclusive interview with The Post, Verizon’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel Joseph Ruggiero confirmed threats of a smear campaign — and signaled that the company wasn’t backing down.
“AMG has made baseless threats to publicly smear Verizon and its executives unless we meet their demands,” Ruggiero said. “We will not tolerate these cynical pressure tactics.”
Apparently, the dispute started over Verizon's budgeting
Multiple sources close to the situation said the previously unreported dispute began in 2022 when Verizon had attempted to negotiate a long-term advertising contract with AMG, which in addition to the Weather Channel owns a number of local TV stations and digital platform the Grio.
The new deal was to include $15 million in annual ad spending.
Although no contract was signed, the same amount was spent with AMG, but after a review of budgeting, Verizon cut ad buys with AMG by 30 percent and then cut it again in 2024, bringing the total down to $5 million. According to Verizon, the cuts were all based on economics.
That is “notwithstanding the fact that we have spent tens of millions of dollars with AMG over the years and have been supporting small businesses and driving economic development in the communities we serve for decades,” Ruggiero added.
Allen seems to be ramping up a tried tactic of bullying and threatening based on claims of racism.
If you’re rooting for Allen, you’re rooting for the wrong side. I am thrilled that a corporation isn’t willing to bend the knee to a "You're a Racist!” threat.
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