mafia essays

mafia essays Over the past month, as I have been going to work with Sgt. Blake Gilmore, there has been much talk about organized crime ever since the second in charge, the underboss, Al Bruno was shot. It was a big story and every time I go into his office, something new is said about the case even though it was handed over to the FBI. In light of this, I have decided to write about the history and development of organized crime. It has always been of interest to me and it hits home in some ways because of my Italian decent. Throughout history, crime has existed in many different forms and has been committed by not only individuals, but by groups as well. Crime is something that knows no boundaries; it exists in all cultures, is committed by all races, and has existed in all time periods. Crime exists as a part of the economic institution and is a lifestyle for many people. Crime also exists in both organized and unorganized forms. Since the early 1900's, "organized" crime has existed in the United States. The origin of the word mafia is a bit of a mystery. Some say that it is derived from an Arabic word for refuge, while others say that it is derived from a Sicilian adjective implying courage, strength, agility, quickness, endurance, and intelligence. Another thought came from a book called Bloodletters and Badmen : A Narrative Encyclopedia of American Criminals from the Pilgrims to the Present. This said that the word mafia was an acronym for Morte Alla Franciese Italia Annella, which meant Death to the French is Italy's Cry. The Italian Mafia or the La Cosa Nostra, as it is referred to today, started in Sicily, the little island that the mainland seems to be giving the boot to. It was during the time between the 18th century and the 19th century that there were constant fights between the French and the Spanish for the thrones of Naples and Sicily and it switched hands many times. When it finally came to rest with the instatement...