The Culture of “No Snitching”
Wednesday, January 6, 2009
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Host: Sonya Green
Maurice Clemmons, the man who gunned down four police officers in Lakewood in November at a coffee shop, evaded police with the help of family and friends. One of three people stabbed in downtown Seattle last month refused to talk to police. A Roosevelt High School student is harassed and shot at by gang members for “snitching” and doesn’t report the crime to the police because he feared for the life of him and his family. Tonight on Voices of Diversity, to snitch or not to snitch…that is the question. But the bigger question is why does a “no snitch” culture still exist? Criminals continue to roam the streets and claim more victims, a fact completely avoidable if the right people start talking to the authorities.
Guests
Dr. Daudi Abe teaches Hip Hop Theory and Culture at Seattle Central Community College and Bellevue College. He is also the author of “6 N The Morning: California Hip-Hop Music.”
Sable Verity is a mother, writer and activist. She is also editor and founder of sableverity.com and regular KBCS commentator. As one of few women bloggers of color in the Pacific Northwest, she covers issues directly impacting minority families.
Reverend Harriet Walden is the National Director of the Silent War Campaign, a Seattle program that addresses the issue of ongoing violence in the African American community.
Text-A-Crime-Tip”
- Dial CRIMES, or 274637
- Start a new text message using the term “Tip486″ and then a space before including the crime details you wish to send.
- You will then receive an alias number and instructions. The alias number can be used to check on a reward if your tip leads to an arrest.
- Additional messages from the same phone or about the same tip will not receive a reply.
- You may want to delete the tip for your own safety.
Credits
Joaquin Uy ran around the studio. Crystal Lee was the center of calm operating the board. And Henry Smelser scrambled to take your calls.
Sable Verity is a 31 year old professional who lives in Seattle.
Mother, writer and activist, founder and Managing Editor of the SV, friends (and enemies) describe Sable Verity as a tireless advocate (or that bitch that just won’t go away), who believes in speaking (ranting) the truth (her irrational race-tinged views) 
