Snitching
The concept of snitching really made its way to the public eye with Dipset rapper Cam’ron making his notorious declaration on 60 Minutes that if a murderer lived next door he would not call the authorities. New York Knicks basketball player and Brooklyn native (via Baltimore) Carmelo Anthony was seen on an underground video, in the slums of Baltimore, entitled “Stop Snitching.” Let’s just say that wasn’t good publicity for Melo who has led a drama-free life and holds a descent image.
In the following clip, John Gotti, one time Gambino Crime Family Boss, is speaking of the “rules” and how it is against protocol to snitch. Authorities have had issues trying to solve even the most simplest of crimes committed because eyewitnesses did not want to “snitch” in the light of retribution or revenge by the accused.
What exactly is snitching? When is it okay to step forward and pass information on or about a crime you saw committed? When is it okay to “rat out” your friends? Man Code will attempt to explore these questions and bring light to an often complicated but misunderstood concept.
Scenario 1: Jason and Justin decide to rob a bank. They get away with $10 grand but we are caught 4 days later and brought in for questioning. Game theory, a concept developed many moons ago (reference the movie “A Beautiful Mind”) relies on the fact that when the police question them separately about the bank robbery, there is a 50% chance one of them will spill the beans; in addition, there is a 25% chance neither one of them will talk and a 25% chance they will both admit to the robbery. Overall, there is a 75% chance Jason and/or Justin will go to jail for this crime. Well, Justin couldn’t take the pressure and gave both of them up. Justin SNITCHED!!!! This is text book definition of snitching. Man Code demands that Justin keeps his mouth shut (Jason the same) and they both have a 25% chance of walking especially if there isn’t any physical evidence linking them to the crime but that’s another story. Jason and Justin both knew what they were getting into and knew the consequences. Justin needed to man up and keep his mouth shut!
Scenario 2: George is a witness to the armed robbery committed by Jason and Justin in the aforementioned scenario. George was across the street when he clearly saw Jason and Justin exit the bank with the money in their hands. George decides to step up and give testimony and have Jason and Justin put behind bars. George is NOT a snitch in this situation. George did his civic duty to society and put two criminals behind bars. George was not part of the robbery; he was nearly an innocent bystander.
Scenario 3: John is friends with Jason and Justin and John knows about them robbing the bank. John grew up with Jason and Justin and they have been friends for over two decades. What does John do in this case? Does John give up Jason and Justin? Or does John keep his mouth shut?
Scenario 3 is oftentimes the scenario a lot of men find themselves in the middle of and have to make a decision to either be a good citizen or a good friend. This scenario is really a no win because on the one hand if you decide to be a good friend and not say anything and someone gets hurt, morally you are just as liable and as guilty as the men who committed the actual crime. If you decide to be a good citizen, you are not being a snitch BUT you are betraying your friends. At the same time, you may be saving a life. What do you do here?
Honestly to me it depends on the severity of the crime. Robbing a bank .. I wouldn't tell, because they've been robbing us for years. Killing someone, I think I would have to tell, because to have no regard for human life is to give up your right to live amongst us. Robbing an old lady or something like that, I would have to tell because my grandma could be next. I know that they say a sin is a sin, but I am a believer in the severity of things.
ReplyDeletegood piece, may people will see the light thru this...GO KNiCKS!! {stat & melo stat & melo}
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