To Snitch or Not To Snitch:

Creating and Following Community Norms

Hardy L. Brown

Back in the day, I believe this was the same problem facing the children of Israel. These folks were doing anything their hearts desired with no fear for consequences for their actions and behaviors. They had just been released from slavery and wanted to stretch their wings with this new found freedom. Then along came the 10 Commandments that established a new set of "community norms." Not only were those commandments handed down from on high for them, they are still around for us to live by today. In fact, I would encourage all of you to revisit them in the books of Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 and 6.

The commandment I'd like to focus on this week is nine: Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor. There are two words in that commandment that I would like to emphasize: "false witness." In other words, if you witness someone doing something that is against the "community norm", then you have a responsibility to testify against them. While the word "snitch" has a negative connotation, I believe if you did not contribute to the violation of the community norm, then you cannot be a "snitch," instead you should be a true witness of the violation committed.

As for the children of Israel, once they were told the commandments, they knew what the rules were and knew what the penalties were for violating those commandments. They also knew the punishment would have to be enforced fairly and justly. As a community we used to be much more respectful of those norms. Even the drunkards and rascals would be respectful of the community rules. They may get drunk Saturday night, but they would spend Sunday morning in church. Or they might use foul language when they would hang out on the corner, but as soon as a lady walked by they would clean up their words, straighten up their clothes, and respectfully let her pass.

So all of us have accountability to keep these laws and be a witness to the violators. It was Franklin Delano Roosevelt who said we have nothing to fear but fear itself. Better yet, it was Christ who said, "who should fear man who can only kill the flesh or God who can kill both flesh and soul."

We all have a responsibility to shun the destructive elements of our community regardless of race, color, creed, or status while trying to offer help to those in need. It is our duty as a community to intervene and prevent crime from taking place while removing from our community those who do not want to play by those rules. We must use rehabilitation programs for those who have been removed from our community so they can reenter our society and lead productive lives without disrupting others. We can do this if we all act responsibly and hold each other accountable to these norms.

UPDATE:  Paul Triplett of San Bernardino was released from Chino Prison Friday after the Black Voice News printed his story and Paris Hilton was released Tuesday of this week from LA County Jail. As I stated in my commentary, Paul was put in Chino for unknown reasons after being harassed by his parole officer. Paris was released after serving 23 days for violating her probation. Paul has pledged to turn his life around with the help of his family, friends and the legal system.