Tattle-tale tit

The magazine Sports Illustrated is/has published an article from a former sports agent who confesses to paying college athletes when in school. It has created a buzz through the sports world and all seem to have an opinion on how to stop or change the process. Some have voiced the opinion this man is nothing but a snitch. So, I ask you, what is a snitch?

The role of the snitch has always put one in the company of a rat, one step above gutter slime. Often the tales told are between men, but what type of man? I have never heard a woman use the term snitch, at least that I can recall. The snitch term always pops up in prison movies, gangster films and similar genre. But when you discover an injustice, what would you do about it? Our moral upbringing, most people, say to stand up and do the right thing. Stop the injustice, correct the wrong. But then the whispering starts; snitch.

That often puts the snitch into a untenable position. Do what is right or face the wrath of others. I ask you though, what is the quality of the people that put the whistle blower in such a position? I would guess those who speak ill of the snitch aren't the type of people I would want to associate with anyway. In the real world pressure to keep quiet can be enormous. Someone works hard to establish a reputation and build a better life. Then, out of nowhere they can be faced with such a moral decision. They must consider how they would be putting everything they worked for in jeopardy.

I would propose those who belittle the snitch likely would be the same ones who would take part in the deception but no one has asked them to. They would often think twice about it but would at some point jump on the bandwagon. Think of a good 'cop show' that has taken on this type of storyline. Think of the cop who often is the best friend of the snitch. What happens to him. He always seems to be the one trying to talk the snitch out of uncovering the mess. Don't risk it, he says.

There are a myriad of things to consider when you step forward to do the right thing. The thoughts of those who would belittle you as a snitch aren't worth the brain power.