Mirror To Her Soul

Veronica Cuthburtson found it difficult to look into any mirror without reflecting upon the damage she caused as a "Ghetto Informant" in J. Edgar Hoover's masterful Counter Intelligence Program during the late 1960's. Veronica could never admit her role in the infamous program that helped to derail the Civil Rights Movement. Her eyes told a story she could never explain.

Veronica Cuthbertson found it difficult to look into any mirror with reflecting upon the damage she caused as a "GHetto Informant" in J. Edgar Hoover's masterful Counter Intelligence Program of the late 1960's. Veronica could never admit her role in the infamous program that helped to derail the Civil RIghts Movement. Her eyes told a story she could never explain. The late 1960's found the United States of America engaged in a domestic war every bit as deadly as the war against Communism being waged in Southeast Asia. The domestic war was orchestrated by the all powerful Director of the FBI J. Edgar Hoover. His primary were not only communist but also the many Black Power Groups that existed at the time. The need for information on the Black Power Groups caused Mr. Hoover to gather information on these subversive groups by way of human intelligence. Like many others Americans Veronica chose to be an informant for the FBI rather than spend time behind bars. Veronica had no idea the mental toll it would take on her to see how her information was used to hurt and kill people that looked like her. She felt the pressure from her handler Special Agent Jones to keep the flow of information constant. Jones was under pressure from his superior who had dreams of raising to great heights in the Bureau. Veronica and Jones are locked together each counting on the other for survival but it is Veronica who had to learn to secretly learn to deal to the hurt she caused and the lives she helped to ruin.

D. E. Lawson was born on January 4, 1966 in Harlem, New York. Being the youngest and only male in the family, his upbringing was strict and disciplined. It was both difficult and dangerous growing up, one mistake and he could have ended up in one of the dilapidated buildings in his neighborhood, succumbing to his environment of drugs and gangs like so many others. However, He was able to set himself apart from his peers by dreaming of a better future. He used his personality and his goals of achieving a better life to make himself feel like he could be somebody and to elevate his self-esteem despite his dismal surroundings. D. E. Lawson was educated in the New York City Public School System. His earlier years of education at P.S. 28 and I.S. 195 in Manhattan did little in developing his interest and skills. His high school experience at John F. Kennedy H. S. in the Bronx was following the same path until he entered the 11th grade. His creative writing class opened up a new world; he discovered that he had a talent for writing. One day in English class, a very nervous and flattered he was asked to read his short story to the class. He noticed his ability to capture the attention of his classmates with his story. The looks of interest on his classmates’ faces lit a fire in him that would never be quenched. Darryl had found his calling. He was going to be a writer. After graduating from high school in 1984, he attended Grambling State University. While at Grambling, despite the challenging curriculum, he was able to focus on his writing, and to hone his writing skills. In 1988, he graduated with a B.A. in History. In 2002, he returned to school attending the College of Mount Saint Vincent where he received his M.S. in Multicultural Education. D. E. Lawson has been a History teacher in the New York City School System for 16 years, including Dean of Discipline for 11 years. He is Head Coach of the Boys Junior Varsity Basketball, and Assistant Head Coach of the Boys Varsity Basketball. He is also a recruiter for Grambling State University in New York City. He resides in Harlem with his daughter. He had another daughter and a son. He enjoys photography and reading (History books) when he is not busy grading papers and being a mentor to the many young people who are dreaming of a better future.