| PART 1: THE MESSAGE | | | | "convict," I knew it was more talk about criminals. |
| For the past few months mainstream media has | | | | The song says, "started out as a crew...who woulda |
| hyped the "stop snitchin" slogan, giving it a life - and | | | | known he would fold and cower." |
| definition - of it's own. A recent story on CBS News' | | | | A few clicks later I was on watching an interview |
| 60 Minutes presented a one-dimensional view of | | | | with rapper, actor and one of the pioneers of |
| snitching that appears to be part of an ongoing | | | | hip-hop, Ice-T. He said, "Snitching is not telling on |
| propaganda campaign designed to hold hip-hop culture | | | | somebody doing something wrong in the 'hood. It's |
| accountable for the dysfunctional criminal justice | | | | when you and your partner are involved in a crime |
| system, and divert the public's attention from the | | | | and get caught and you tell on your partner. That's |
| real problems in America. | | | | snitching." |
| Whether it's propaganda, pimping, or simply sloppy | | | | If I was able to find the meaning of snitching in less |
| journalism, the story "Stop Snitchin" was biased and | | | | than ten clicks of my mouse, I think it's safe to |
| inaccurate. A cursory review of the facts reinforces | | | | assume that 60 Minutes, a national news program |
| the urgent need to resurrect the black press as an | | | | with a budget and research staff, is aware of the |
| authentic voice and trustworthy news source capable | | | | nature and definition of snitching and had no interest |
| of dispelling the latest stereotypes. | | | | in being fair and accurate. |
| In the black community it is commonly understood | | | | A quick look at pertinent information absent from the |
| that a snitch is a crafty criminal who negotiates a | | | | story is further evidence that it was propaganda. For |
| deal for himself by telling on others. Since the days | | | | instance, 60 Minutes neglected to mention that there |
| of slavery, providing information to authorities to gain | | | | was honor among thieves long before hip-hop. |
| favor has been viewed negatively. Judas would be | | | | Dishonest elected officials, corporate executives, and |
| considered a snitch primarily because he was one of | | | | even the "Boys in Blue" have adhered to a don't |
| the disciples, one of the crew. | | | | snitch mantra over the years. |
| But, according to the 60 Minutes story, witnesses | | | | Furthermore, where are the statistics to prove the |
| and concerned citizens are now considered snitches. | | | | low clearance rate is due to this epidemic? How |
| The report indicated that people of all ages in the | | | | many of the crimes solved were due to "suburban" |
| black community, even children, are abiding by this | | | | people assisting the police? Since hip-hop is credited |
| so-called code-of-silence out of fear of retaliation. A | | | | with fueling this epidemic and white, suburban youth |
| related story, "A Conspiracy Of Silence, CBS News | | | | are the major consumers of hip-hop; how does the |
| Investigates: Epidemic Of Witness Intimidation | | | | code-of-silence impact their community? How can |
| Plagues Justice System" aired a week after the | | | | any responsible journalist do a story on how black |
| "Stop Snitchin" show. | | | | people relate to the police without mentioning the |
| While it is true that blacks and other minorities have a | | | | pandemic of police brutality and misconduct cases |
| history of strained relationships with the police, | | | | across the country? With the international media |
| concerned citizens routinely complain about crack | | | | attention surrounding the snitch involved in the police |
| houses, slow response times and a lack of police | | | | killing of 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston, how can they |
| patrols in inner-city neighborhoods. Black people also | | | | produce a story on snitching without mentioning |
| serve as witnesses and jurors. | | | | problems related to dishonest snitches? Also omitted |
| Instead of displaying outrage at the suggestion that | | | | was the fact that activist's have been working to |
| hip-hop culture has convinced law-abiding "inner-city | | | | dismantle the corrupt snitch system long before |
| residents" to participate in a conspiracy against the | | | | hip-hop entrepreneurs started making money off the |
| justice system, many uninformed black people believe | | | | stop-snitching slogan. |
| and perpetuate this propaganda before checking the | | | | Although 60 Minutes could not cover all of these |
| source and motives of the messenger. | | | | issues, they could have presented a more balanced |
| Since I'm from the "P-Funk" era, I went to | | | | story. With minimal research the producers could |
| allhiphop.com, and to see what the hip-hop generation | | | | have found an articulate expert on hip-hop culture like |
| had to say. Amazingly, about 85% of the posts I | | | | rapper Mos Def or Davey D, a journalist who has |
| read supported the classic definition of snitching. I | | | | written on the issue. An intelligent spokesperson |
| listened to Chamillionaire's song "No Snitchin." The | | | | would have taken that shining moment to expose |
| rapper rhymes about a criminal who "was looking at | | | | the corrupt snitch system, and, most importantly, |
| 30 but only did 10." The song goes on, "streets know | | | | change the direction and perception of hip-hop overall. |
| the deals you made with the pen." | | | | Instead, 60 Minutes empowered an irresponsible |
| I suffered through the foul language of Obie Trice f | | | | rapper to make ignorant, harmful comments. |
| Akon, "Snitch." When the first word in the song was | | | | |