I agree with you both about the absurdity of this issue. But I also feel that the story forgot to talk about the reality of "snitching" on a criminal in those communities. If you knew that your life (not just your livelihood) was going to be threatened by cooperating with the police, would you snitch? I think that's a tough question to answer, because most people would probably keep their mouths shut in the name of self-preservation. I would like to see more mainstream media coverage about what happens to witnesses that do come forward courageously and the price they pay for that courage. I remember Essence running an article about it and it was disheartening to hear what one woman went through when she witnessed a crime from her porch.(
http://www.essence.com/essence/lifes...581957,00.html)
On the other hand, I'm glad that they actually noted how the definition of "snitching" has definitely changed over the years. I'm a little disconcerted, however, at the reference made to 50 Cent. I'm sure when he was cooperating with the police, it was indeed an effort to save his own sorry self.