The Mob In The Media Essay Research

The Mob In The Media Essay, Research Paper

A social issue that has become very controversial in the 1990 s is the glamorization of mob, and mob life. With the popularity explosion of gangster rap and an abundance of gang related movies; the life of gang members is being portrayed as rich and luxurious. If one looks at rap music and movies as forms of stories it is easy to see why the mob is often portrayed as glamorous. The mob contains elements which make for a good story. The stories and ways of the mob show elements that are common in both the modern day glamorization of the mob and the true mob itself. Areas that make the mob such a popular topic in entertainment are its origination, its workings, its famous crime families, its famous members, and famous organized crime busters.One reason that the Mafia is the topic for so many movies and rap songs is the origination of the mob. Like any good story, the mob had a beginning. Organized crime in America spawned during Prohibition because Alcohol became illegal and people need to drink. Prohibition helped form a criminal hierarchy to supply alcohol (”How to Defeat Organized Crime” N.P.). In 1920, the Volstead Act made alcohol illegal to drink in the United States causing smuggling industries in Canada and Mexico to grow. (Thanks Al Capone) Soon after Prohibition, in 1921, national meetings of the bosses of the La Cosa Nostra where held every five years. (Andy N.P.) Although Prohibition in itself was not very interesting, it helped the Mafia gain money and power, which are two things that make for an interesting story. The workings of the mob create many elements which can de used as themes in songs and movies. The Mafia s strict grooming standards, such as requirements to shave and where a suit, make mobsters look sharp, and make members attractive characters for a good story (Donnie Brasco). The inter workings of the mob, such as the hierarchy of a crime family, fascinate people. The hierarchy which governs most crime families is organized like this: boss, or head of the family. Under him is his skipper or underboss, who gives money to the boss and assign tasks from the boss, a sort of secretary. Under the skipper is the wiseguy or “capo”. A skipper has approximately three to five wiseguys. Wiseguys can act as loan sharks, bookies, or other sorts of things. Their main job is to get their skipper money. (Donnie Brasco) This struggle for power can create conflict that is necessary for a good movie. Corruption of policemen, politicians, and judges is essential to successful Mafia operations. (FBI Founder J. Edgar Hoover s Links to the Mafia N.P.) The corruption of city officials allows the Mafia to use prostitution as a form of income. Prostitution drives organized crime because sex is very desirable, and the Mafia decided to capitalize on it. Prostitution is essentially sex which is the topic in many songs and movies (”How to Defeat Organized Crime” N.P.). Another part of the Mafia that is like a Hollywood movie is the code of honor. An example of this is the respect that is demanded by members of the mob, such as a wiseguy never buying a drink. Someone buys it for him as a sign of respect. (Donnie Brasco) Unlike the royal family of England, one does not need to be blood to be part of the family, which allows others to enter the family such as enemies, from a more powerful mob to act as puppet bosses, or government informants. (Donnie Brasco) This causes many conflicts in the family and an interesting story, which Hollywood likes. “Being sent for” is a saying used by the mob, which is when one s superior is calling one in to talk or sometimes to be killed in an ambush. (Donnie Brasco) Sayings in the mob create colorful dialogue that adds to the level of a movie. The way the mob works would is very similar to some of the elements that are in movies such as, charisma in characters, betrayal, secret codes among men, and conspiracy. The mob s crime families are another factor that leads to the portrayal and glamorization of the mob in many movies and songs. The main mob in America is La Cosa Nostra, or the LCN. The LCN is formed of the five crime families of New York, a family in Chicago, and a Detroit family. (Andy “The Genovese Crime N.P.) The heads of each family meet every five years to settle disputes between families, confirm new bosses, and other miscellaneous tasks. These seven members are known as the “commission.” The five crime families of New York are the Gambino family, the Colombo family, the Lucchese family, the Bonanno family, and the Genovese family. Bosses of the Gambino Family have had mixed fates; some were killed or arrested and some became rich and powerful. (Andy “The Gambino Crime N.P.) The first know boss of the Gambino family was Al Mineo who controlled the family in the 1920 s. (Andy “The Gambino Crime N.P.) Al Mineo was killed during the Castellmmarese war. The purpose of the killing was to undercut his friend, Joe Masseria, who was head of the Genovese family. (Andy “The Gambino Crime N.P.) Al Mineo was replaced by Frank Scalise, who soon stepped down as boss because of the death of chief ally, Sal Maranzo. He stepped down in fear of the wrath of Maranzo foe, Lucy Luciano. (Andy “The Gambino Crime N.P.) Frank Scalise was replaced by Vince Mangano, who was part of the original seven people on the commission. (Andy “The Gambino Crime N.P.) Vince Mangano choose Albert Anastasia as underboss to please Luciano. When