According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a tattle tale is an informer. Within a home, a tattle tale breaks the unspoken code, not to rat on their brother or sister. However, where do you draw the line between telling the truth and exposing unwholesome behavior? As bullying continues to rise at schools across America, sometimes individuals must to be willing to betray this code to prevent further violent acts.
One of the most famous tattle tales of the Bible is introduced in Genesis 37. Based on the information passed onto Moses, Joseph brings back a bad report about his brothers’ behavior to his father. While it is not certain, Joseph appears to have gained Israel’s favor. Like his mother Rachel, Joseph’s father loved him more than any of his other 11 sons. Thus, an assumption you can make is that Joseph is the first tattle tale to be rewarded in the Bible with a coat of many colors, Genesis 37:3.
Today, the media uses the term whistle blower to describe a tattle tale. In most cases, modern whistle blowers are applauded, praised and viewed as heroes. Some of the most famous American whistle blowers are Karen Silkwood, inspiring the 1983 film entitled Silkwood, Mark Felt who leaked information to the press about Richard Nixon’s involvement in Watergate and Peter Rost who exposed Pfizer for their accounting irregularities. If only the negative connotation of the word tattle tale could be removed, maybe more young people would be willing to come forward with the truth like Joseph? As for now, young people would rather keep quiet, afraid of earning a reputation as a fink. May God raise up a generation of bold children, “tattle tales,” who are willing to eliminate bullying and obscene behavior from their classrooms.
by Jay Mankus
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