Gangster

A gangster is a professional member of a crime organization, for example a gang or mafia.

Gangsters are organised criminals who engage in mob-like activity or enterprise. Members of the mafia or similar organizations are usually referred to as mobsters.

Business interests

Gangsters typically run their operations as businesses insofar as they offer a product or service, albeit an illegal one. For example during the Prohibition era in the United States, gangsters effectively monopolized the alcohol trade. In the 1950s, they did the same to gambling. They also often control trade in narcotics and engage in pimping.

However, gangsters also often engage in extortion and the use of intimidation and bribery to wield influence over labor unions. Gangsters are also known for attempting to manipulate the outcome of civil institutions, such as court cases and political elections through bribery and intimidation.

Mobsters are present-day members of a mafia or mafia-like organization. Gangsters are members of a modern-day street gang.

Cultural impact

Today an ebonics form of the word, "gangsta", has become associated with gangsta rap. This genre's lyrics are often based on living gang-related lifestyles, and can be portrayed in either a realistic, gritty way, or in a cartoonish way. Common street gangster members also call themselves "gangsters" or "G". Being "Gangsta" can also be synonymous for being "willing to do whatever it takes to get something done", or being "ruthless" or "cut-throat".

In America

Most gangsters in America were present in the late 19th and throughout the 20th centuries. Due to America's multi-racial culture, there are large varieties of gangs. Generally, the most identifiable gang in America is one which orginated from the island of Sicily off the southern tip of Italy. The Black Hand, or Mafia, is composed primarily of Italians, and has had a major cultural impact on America, especially in the Northern states.

The Mafia came to America in a pre-WWII 20th century America and thrived due to the Prohibition period and with its hands in the illegal alcohol trade. It was during this time that the Italian Mafia struggled with the already established Irish-American criminal organizations for control of the American criminal trade.

During WWII, many mobsters, or Mafiosos, in Italy came to America to escape Mussolini's fascist regime.

See also

• Gangsters
• Gang members
• Organized crime
• Organized crime groups
• Gangsta Rap