Howard University; Washington, D.C.

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Howard Beats Norfolk State 17-10

To Snitch or Not to Snitch

by Matthew Cooper

Snitching, or "being hot," has been a controversial subject plaguing urban communities nationwide. It is an unofficial code in many neighborhoods, encouraging people to not tell the police if they witnessed a crime. Otherwise, they face the possibility of being killed. "Stop Snitching" has become almost a nationwide phenomenon, with the slogan being put into rap music and on stop signs on shirts.

Leaders and activists in Washington, D.C., discussed the controversy recently during a forum on "What's Snitching and What's Not" at the Blackburn Center at Howard University. A diverse panel included assistant police chief Diane Groomes, District attorney Albert Herring, Temple professor March Lamont Hill, Roc-a-fella Records rapper Freeway and Ron Johnson, a former gang member from Compton, Calif., representing Jim Brown's Amer-I-Can program.
Peaceaholics organized the forum as part of D.C. Atonement Week to facilitate a discussion about when residents feel it is justified and safe to tell the police about a crime, and to shed light on the true definition of being a snitch.
(see complete story)

Pelosi, Miller visit Howard to intro Education Bill

House speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Education, Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D- CA) came to Howard University to promote their work and agenda for this legislative session. A large part of their presentation dealt with, what they saw as the value they were seeking in legislation that was on it's way to the President. Here Miller describes aspects of the Higher Education Bill.