Woman Branded "Snitch"
There are often consequences to snitching in America. I've written about the phenomena before. (See, "Stop Snitchin' Or Get Stiches.") Don't blame me for it.
And don't be surprised to hear about more stories like the one in Mesa, Arizona where 4 people -- James Strandbridge, Jackie Getz, Preston Valdez, and Kibbol Avila -- (pictured above) are accused of kidnapping, aggravated assaulted and unlawful imprisonment after allegedly luring a snitch into their apartment, shaving off a portion of her hair, using a branding iron to burn the word "snitch" on her face, assaulting her, and holding her against her will. (source)
Sure, this sounds terrible. If the accused are convicted, I'm sure they'll be appropriately sentenced. And I admit that there are times and situations when people need to snitch. But, what kind of world do we live in where everybody is snitching!? Just yesterday, I saw on the news that the mafia has another snitch up in Chicago. (See, "Chicago's biggest mob trial in years opens" and "Mob Trial Opens With Bloody Descriptions.") When is all this snitching going to end?
12 comments:
"Snitching?"
If people see a crime, they have a responsibility to report it.
Are you supporting lawlessness?
"Stop snitching"
.....and people wonder why we have so much crime in this city.
If a nigga get his ass shot in the street and nobody saw nothin (as you recommend) was he really killed?
No, and he deserved it anyway so no punishment from society is needed. Someday, killings in the black zone will not even require a police report. Why bother? Just another nigga killed and nobody saw nothin.
After all, the "community" is so afraid of the polices that they won't even be talking to them. Good. Why waste time with a bunch of no account losers that don't want to "snitch."
"Are you supporting lawlessness?"
Nope. Are you supporting snitching?
".....and people wonder why we have so much crime in this city."
Are you suggesting we have so much crime in this city (I thought the crime rate was decreasing) because people aren't snitching enough?! So, I guess if everyone started snitching all the time about everything they knew we'd have no crime. Is that what you believe?
Anon 3
"If a nigga get his ass shot in the street and nobody saw nothin (as you recommend) was he really killed?
No, and he deserved it anyway so no punishment from society is needed. Someday, killings in the black zone will not even require a police report. Why bother? Just another nigga killed and nobody saw nothin.
After all, the "community" is so afraid of the polices that they won't even be talking to them. Good. Why waste time with a bunch of no account losers that don't want to "snitch.""
Funny how you brought race into this when the pictures of the people who allegedly branded the lady all look like they are white!!!
Should I assume that you are either a non-Black racist or a Black self-hater?
When I was growing up, my parents, teachers, and adult neighbors all taught me and other children not to be "tattle tells". I guess some people didn't get taught this.
For the record, I do support "snitching" when it involves snitching on a criminal.
Are you a criminal?
Nate Livingston said...
".....and people wonder why we have so much crime in this city."
Are you suggesting we have so much crime in this city (I thought the crime rate was decreasing) because people aren't snitching enough?! So, I guess if everyone started snitching all the time about everything they knew we'd have no crime. Is that what you believe? "
Yes, that's exactly what we believe. you can't have a cop on every corner all the time, but when people know that they will be identified and arrested andd they will go to jail, the only crimes we are left with are crimes of great passion. And what can you do about that?
Its hard to believe that black people don't understand this simple principle: Punishment is a deterrent to crime.
And, this is a problem unique to the black ghetto. Poor white people are all over the police. Ask any cop. Black ghetto people who live by rap song ethics are ruining their lives by tolerating their own victimization under the "don't snitch" code.
And, Nate, momma's prohibition on being a tattletale, was because she didn't want to hear you whining about how your big sister had the last bag of Cheetos out of the pantry. She would turn over in her grave if she thought that a crack dealer could operate with impugnity because the people on the street don't want to be tattletales.
Solve this problem and your average black will live longer and better.
My god you're an idiot, Nate.
Are you aware what even happened in this situation? A child was mistreated, a woman noticed that and called the police so the helpless child wouldn't be hurt. You call this act of philanthropy snitching?? This is a good human being helping another helpless human being. We need to understand that if you see abuse, it's everybody's business to report it. If you choose to stand by idly and do nothing, it's your choice, and you're a sick coward. But don't preach that it's the right thing to do. Instead of looking at it from the criminals' point of view as "snitching", grow your own brain and realize the actual definition of the act and call it helping.
It's a double edged sword. If someone is a witness to a crime and their morals tell them that they can't stand by without standing up then they should step forward and we should all support them. But, the hot lines, paying people to snitch, exchanging favors for one criminal snitching on another has to be suspect information and compromise the right to a free trial. I think a lot of people pay for crimes they didn't commit as a result of snitches that have a grudge against them or are getting monetary gain for false information. If someone is a witness or has information, they need to be a part of the process. They need to be identified. Everyone has a right to confront their accuser.
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 Johnnies 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
Post a Comment