Originally Posted by BlackFamily
Originally Posted by Toodoped
Originally Posted by BlackFamily
Originally Posted by Toodoped
We cannot compare the Mafia with the black drug lords because first of all the Italians created their organizations centuries ago, while the black criminals began getting big at the start of the 20th century, mainly with the help of their policy racket. Also most of the black drug lords lasted for a decade or two and so you cannot compare their financial income with some Mafioso who was born in 1906 and died in 1992 and on top.of that he left one huge crime legacy behind him which lasts even today. I mean if a Mafioso such as Accardo who started making big income since the late 1920s, then you can imagine how much cash he managed to spent or invest through out his life time. Also you have Mafiosi who completely infiltrated huge legit industries and somehow managed to get "clean"....we are talking about different goals and different types of criminals... two different worlds...and the only thing which used to connect them was obviously gambling...and possibly the dope biz from time to time.

I think that in terms of income, the only Mafioso who can be compared to guys such as Matthews or Lucas is Al Capone....short career followed by a lot of cash...i mean you can calculate 100 mil during the early 1930s in todays cash but dont forget that all of that money didnt went only in Als pockets but instead some went for corruption and the rest went up or down the scale since as I previously said, it was all about maintaining the organization


The policy racket was one of the main rackets, the others will be bootlegging & other gambling rackets ( also prostitution). I wouldn't say the criminal types are completely different as those Black drug lords did the same thing getting involved in legit business and some did manage to get clean. In regards to rackets besides drugs & gamble; you also have contract hits, prison smuggling, and a few other rackets that they often cross path.

There's a highly regional interaction as well due to LCN membership being highly concentrated to their metropolitan territories ( Mainly NYC, NJ, Philly, New England, Chicago, & Detroit). While Black racketeers in those areas have been the historical focus, there's more of them in the South that's is just recently getting attention.


I agree but still there wasnt any independent big time black mobster during the old days. As a matter of fact, first they paid street-tax to the Irish political and street bosses until the Mafia took over the Irish mens rackets and again the whole process lasted until the late 60s. I recently found out that the Jones bros were always paying street tax until someone from the Mob became too greedy.

Interesting to note is that same period, late 60s, was the end of the so-called golden age of the Mob and so thats why many black and hispanic criminals began showing their middle fingers to the Italians and became independent. Same thing happened in Chicago on the North and South sides. On top of that, the dope biz was always a side project for the Mafia, meaning it was never their main income and so thats the point where other criminals from different ethnicities took over the racket. According to one FBI file during the early 70s there was a huge quarrel within the Chi Outfit over this same subject. One side was allegedly saying that they should get in until someone else takes it over but the elders said no touching


You'll have to read Policy Kings , which it mentioned the political aide ( kickbacks/bribery) those Black racketeers used for a support. Al Capone wasn't interested in their racket therefore it gave them autonomous activity. Also Detriot Black racketeers too. Main theme people aren't aware of the history within the Black underworld of that time frame from their perspective per say. It's mainly told from the LCN ( or Irish/Jewish) side.

I must reiterate on the lack of historical research of the Southern Black underworld during that timeframe ( 1920-60s) as well. Not many people are aware of them nor local influence.


The best way to view it is from the fbi's or fbn's perspective who pulled out infos from those same black gangsters regarding the old days.

Now dont get me wrong but what independence during Al's reign? Ever heard of the of the Benvenuti fam, especially Julius? During the 1910s Benvenuti paid for police protection so all black policy operators can handle their business and also conducted the campaigns for many black government officals and he definitely was big deal. You see Benvenuti and the Mob depended on the black vote so in 1916 i think they placed Oscar De Priest as a Second Ward Alderman, who became the first black Alderman. Later Benvenuti became a member of the Capone mob and continued to rule the South Side together with Hunt and Pierce

He who can never endure the bad will never see the good