The Mafia and Media: An Untouchable Zone Crime, Violence, and Fascinating Legends

Описание: Hello everyone, I'm Sweeping Monk. In this video, we're going to tell a true story about the Mafia.
In June 1962, at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, a drug dealer named Joseph Valachi received the "kiss of death" from his fellow inmate, Genovese, also known as "Big Eyes." This kiss made Valachi unable to sleep peacefully again. A few days later, Valachi killed another inmate who tried to approach him. Subsequently, Valachi became an informant for the FBI, revealing numerous Mafia secrets, including their organizational structure, operational modes, and member identities. Valachi's revelations led law enforcement to confirm the existence of the American Mafia for the first time and its real name—Cosa Nostra.
The origins of the Mafia trace back to the 18th century on the island of Sicily, Italy, where impoverished farmers formed secret societies for survival. In the 19th century, with the privatization of land, Mafia families emerged in Sicily, engaging in violent protection and territorial control. In the early 20th century, many Italians, especially Sicilians, immigrated to the United States, forming organized crime groups.
The true rise of the Mafia began after the implementation of Prohibition in 1920 in the United States, through which they quickly amassed wealth by smuggling and selling alcohol. Mussolini's crackdown on the Mafia in Italy forced many members to move to the U.S., intensifying gang conflicts. Eventually, Mafia leader Charles "Lucky" Luciano established the National Commission of crime families, dominating the American Mafia.
The Mafia is known for its strict organizational structure and management rules. Only pure-blooded Italians can become full members, and there are strict hierarchies and codes of conduct within the family. Joining the Mafia requires a rigorous initiation ceremony, and breaking the rules results in severe punishments, including expulsion and death. Although the Mafia advocates for low-profile money-making, killings remain frequent.
In the next episode, we'll continue to explore more about how the American Mafia manipulated elections and plotted to assassinate presidents. Don't forget to subscribe and follow my channel so you won't miss more interesting videos. I'm Sweeping Monk, see you next time.