Snitching, loyalty to who!
I was listening to a local radio talk show the other day, the host and the guest a young rapper were discussing the rap culture - specifically about a promising young rapper that was shot to death in the lobby of his building the week before. They were discussing some of the social norms that have hindered the last few generations living in the inner-cities. Snitching – is a term used when an individual informs to the police on another individual whose committed a crime. This like other norms are complexed because a lot of the crimes committed are often by someone we know: family members, friends or associates. Cousin Johnny was a Pimp, when I was about 8 years-old and alone with granny in her apartment, while in flight from the police he came banging on the front door. I let him and his lady-friend rush in, and while he frantically peered through the peep-hole, he'd asked me to run and get him a beer.
In order for communities to change and grow these norms must die. If they're not willing to change, we must learn to snitch, drop-a-dime and rat-out, all of the cousin Johnny's of the world. if not, don't complain about the state of your neighborhood or what the police is not doing. No one will respect your community more that you do. Now, we know that there are a broad range of factors that contributed to the problems in our communities. But, maybe instead of waiting for the next movement, this might be a good one to start. What do you think…?
Brotherman
Thursday, October 11, 2007
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6 comments:
It's too easy for me to say that everyone should snitch. I try my best not to hang around people that commit crimes. Honestly, if I did, it won't be an easy task. You can't give them warnings because you could be setting yourself up to be taken out. It's also extremely hard to keep your mouth shut because you feel somewhat held accountable for this information you now know. I think that's how rumors spread about crimes. People play "Hot Potato" with these stories because they don't want to be the only ones that know and can do something about stopping criminal action.
The question boils down to, who's willing to take the risk to put a criminal on blast? Hopefully, from this day forward, we'll allow ourselves to be moved to do the right thing if ever put in a situation like this. Stopping a few lives dedicated to crime can save many lives dedicated to life.
Oh; what you have done is give a personal perspective with the call to the community at large to examine their individual perspectives as they stand; challenging them to change based on the current state of affairs; such as the gentrification that takes place and the fact the the community does not benefit from the positive change. Sentimentality can literally kill you; oftentimes within that culture of the 'the streets' there are pseudo allegiances and alliances in the first place. Without exposure and collaboration with the community police the neighborhood continues to suffer in a conspiracy of silence; known as implicit sanctions (of negativity).
Snitching is a complicated subject. It's important to look at the dynamics of a community in which crime is a major factor. Members of these communities witness criminal acts on a regular basis. It is here where they are faced with the decision to either alert the authorities, or to protect individuals who may be their neighbors, family members, or friends. No one wants to see someone close to them serve time, and for that reason many refrain from interacting with the police.
Many simply hate the cops. Due to the severed relationship between law enforcement, and members of communities where crime is prominent, many would rather withhold needed information to convict an offender, than to assist authorities in any way.
There is also a degree of backlash that comes with snitching that people are fearful of. When a person snitches, they become untrustworthy to the individuals around them. They can easily become a target as a result. At the end of the day, no one wants to feel unsafe in their own neighborhood and for that reason, many rather keep their mouths shut.
If people could see the importance of protecting and up keeping their communities, they would step up when necessary regardless of the consequences they may face, but with the points listed above that may be easier said than done.
I totally disagree with the use of the term snitching as it relates to identifying those individuals who pose a threat to the safety and well being of our communities. Snitching implies that we make known ,something that should be kept secret. Ravaging our community is no secret so why should the identity of the pilagers be kept secret. when they committ crimes in the community they want you to know that they are there, when i respond by informing the proper authorities, i want the perpetrators to know that i am there. within segements of minority communities this concept called snitching is unacceptable, but thats only becuse if i snitch on you then there is a possibility that my stuff will be exposed. the bottom line is that if we want control of our neighborhoods and the safety of them we should snitch, tell, holla, write across the sky, call the radio station or any other thing that will bring a solution to the problem. i ain't snitching, i'm tell. so if you come to my neighborhood with the foolishness, it's not th3e police you should worry about, it's me you need to be aware of. lets us all say " this is my home and i'm not going to take your abuse anymore"
personally I think that what has been referred to as snitching is in reality simply saying no to the criminal element withinn our communities. when we expose those negative elements we take control of our environment and our lives. if that individual is doing something that is unlawful and we witness it and allow it to go unchecked we are simply saying that it's alright as lons as it's not us, hhowever you may be next. wrong is wrong nomatter who commits it. I reflect back on what Dr. King said" when there is injustice anywhere,there is injustice everywhere". when a crime is committed it affects us all in one sense or another whether we recognize it or not
one factor that seems to be ignored is that in many places cops are not trusted, and for good reason. Oftentimes, cops are as corrupt as the criminal element that is being snitched on. In a neighborhood where cops are viewed as another gang, why put your trust in them if you're then in danger?
Another distinction that I feel needs to be made within snitching is the difference between telling the cops xyz killed your cousin, versus snitching to reduce your own criminal sentence. This is the type that infuriates criminals because there is no honor in it.
In the end, I think people face a question where they have to ask who they want running their neighborhood. And if the cops are racist, untrustworthy, disrespectful people in your neighborhood, why do you want them running things?
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