The Black Informant

Here is a piece I came across that attempts “explain” the whole snitching thing. Here is part of it, but please read the rest in your free time.

Black Press Slaps 60 Minutes On Snitchin’ Bias: “Sloppy Journalism”

By Edrea Davis

May 27, 2007

For the past few months, mainstream media has hyped the “stop snitchin” slogan, giving it a life – and definition – of it’s own. A recent story on CBS News’ 60 Minutes presented a one-dimensional view of snitching that appears to be part of an ongoing propaganda campaign designed to hold hip-hop culture accountable for the dysfunctional criminal justice system, and divert the public’s attention from the real problems in America.

Whether it’s propaganda, pimping, or simply sloppy journalism, the story “Stop Snitchin” was biased and inaccurate. A cursory review of the facts reinforces the urgent need to resurrect the black press as an authentic voice and trustworthy news source capable of dispelling the latest stereotypes.

In the black community it is commonly understood that a snitch is a crafty criminal who negotiates a deal for himself by telling on others. Since the days of slavery, providing information to authorities to gain favor has been viewed negatively. Judas would be considered a snitch primarily because he was one of the disciples, one of the crew.

But, according to the 60 Minutes story, witnesses and concerned citizens are now considered snitches. The report indicated that people of all ages in the black community, even children, are abiding by this so-called code-of-silence out of fear of retaliation. A related story, “A Conspiracy Of Silence, CBS News Investigates: Epidemic Of Witness Intimidation Plagues Justice System” aired a week after the “Stop Snitchin” show.

While it is true that blacks and other minorities have a history of strained relationships with the police, concerned citizens routinely complain about crack houses, slow response times and a lack of police patrols in inner-city neighborhoods. Black people also serve as witnesses and jurors. (more…)

While it is very true that Black folks do actively participate in working with the police, what we do have is a dual relationship with law enforcement. Within communities with very high crime rates is the reality that if you drop the dime on criminal activity, the “streets” will deal with you. Davis is doing nothing more than circling the wagons here simply because “White” media supposedly got it wrong. No mention in the article of the lack of outrage for years within Black media regarding Black folks within these communities who do live in fear because of the unwritten code of snitching. The Long Beach, CA beating case involving a group of Black youths brutally beating 3 White girls is a case I have talked about in the past on this site. If Davis is so concerned about “properly” defining snitching, perhaps this case would shed some light on what happens when folks speak out against crime in these types of communities.

LONG BEACH - A witness to an attack that saw a group of black youths beat three young white women on Halloween in Bixby Knolls described the brutal event in graphic detail Wednesday, a day in which police and the prosecutor said that the witness had already become a victim of intimidation.

[...]

We had to have a police escort bring her to court today,” Boss said.

Cmdr. Jeff Johnson, who leads the Long Beach Police Department’s Juvenile Services Division, said the 18-year-old witness, who is black, was trying to leave her home Wednesday morning when she peered out one window and saw six black men who appeared to be gang members sitting on her car waiting for her.

Afraid for her life, she called police, who gave her an escort to court, the commander said.

“She definitely felt they were waiting there for her and that she was in danger,” Johnson said outside of the courtroom.

Boss asked Judge Gibson Lee to remind the 10 minors charged with the attack and everyone else in the courtroom that it is illegal to intimidate a witness. (click here to read the rest of the article and for all the info on this case)

Bottom line, instead of circling the wagons here by fretting over “White” media perception, Davis would have done better by exposing the realities of those who face intimidation for doing the right thing.