Do you think the Italian American mafia are still active/influential today?

[Anonymous]

No they’re not

Yes they are

[pepperhicks]

What have I ever done to make you treat me so disrespectfully? If you'd come to me in friendship, then this scum that ruined your daughter would be suffering this very day. And if by chance an honest man like yourself should make enemies, then they would become my enemies. And then they would fear you.

[Asker]

Great movie!

[_SOARER]

Barely.
They control the unions here in NY. If you want to build anything in NYC the mob is getting a cut.
The mob doesn't work like it used too. All the young italian guys are just white people now

When I was growing up there was a huge mafia bust here in NY. I want to say like 2010. they arrested like 10 people I knew.
After that it was all over. They stopped all the small criminal activities and blue collar stuff.

[Asker]

Interesting points!

[Robbey]

They still exist in some places. But they are nothing compared to what they were 30-40 years ago.

[Asker]

They probably adapted and changed how they function - if they were still in business.

[scarlett774]

Yes but I think their very secretive and do things away from the media

[Asker]

Probably yeah!

[888theGreat]

They probably own the media

[Terry21]

Not really
The italian American mafia won't ever be the same,
the code omerta was broken which is the reason why we know so much about them
but the Camora the italian mafia in italy have bigger income than some countries yearly.

[Asker]

You’re right! The Omertà was broken and all these movies and tv shows and documentaries put a lot of pressure on them.

[Anno2]

They have more influence today than before. Poor mobs use extortion, trafficking and drug dealing as a mean to get money. When they have it they get more into politics with bribes.

[Asker]

Bold point and I believe in it. There’s just no way to prove it.

[Dr_Sausa]

Barely. The only reason they formed mobs were because white Americans were discriminating on them due to the African mixture. Once they figured out northern Italy looked like white people, they decided to leave them alone as a whole, but even today it's still occasionally an issue.

[SuccessfulHornDog]

Really? Why did they discriminate against the Irish? Them are some pastie white folk. Could it be because both groups were Roman Catholic and Protestant Americans were against Catholics and the Popery

[Dr_Sausa]

They did discriminate against the Irish for religious reasons, but Italians (specifically Sicilians) were facing prejudice not just because they were Roman Catholic, but because they were being associated with African Americans in general.

[SuccessfulHornDog]

There may be some of that but almost every group that came to American faced resistance from those who were here before them. Its ironic that you mentioned that they were discriminated against because of a perception of being black; most Sicilians that I know are extremely racist against blacks

[Dr_Sausa]

That's true, and the reason being is because they kept getting compared to them during the earlier time. I'm Sicilian and I can say 100% that my people are by far the most confused people I've ever met. Constantly trying to deny their history. Also, many white Americans have always viewed black people as non-human.

[Asker]

I think you both have valid points! Discrimination against Italians who came to the US (mainly from Sicily, Calabria and Campagna) was mainly because of 3 things: mass immigration after WW2 so they were blamed of stealing American jobs, their dark complexion, and the fact that they were Catholics. The formation of the mafia in America started when they fled Mussolini and started settling in NY and the east coast in general. Greeks faced the exact same discrimination and they’re mostly Greek Orthodox so the catholic part is definitely true to a great extent but it wasn’t the full picture.

[SuccessfulHornDog]

Thank You for settling this disagreement, GodFather

[Asker]

You’re welcome! You’re both friends of ours!

[Dargil]

It depends on the city. In the big Rust Belt cities they are

[Asker]

Interesting point. So you’re thinking they’re still into contracting and construction?

[Dargil]

More like I know it. That's the legitimate front of some.

[jamesgoldman]

Not like they used to be but yeah still at some level

[Asker]

I agree

[codyccc]

Yes but they have far more competition and are far less influential and therefore far less brazen than before

[Asker]

You’re right

[JimboGB]

I know the Mafia in Italy is still powerful and control dockyards and imports which they use to bring drugs into Europe.

[Asker]

In Italy 100% especially Sicilia, Calabria and Campagna but how about NYC?

[JimboGB]

I honestly couldn't tell you about New York but knowing how powerful and influential they used to be, I would assume they held on to some of their influence. They had so many hands in so many pies.

[NYCQuestions1976]

Not nearly like decades ago. Same with the Westies.

[Asker]

Yup, I agree!!

[Anonymous]

They are still doing their things. But I wouldn’t call them influential

[Asker]

We can argue both ways honestly. I personally think they changed their modus operandi but they’re still a force to reckon with.

[SuccessfulHornDog]

I assume that they are still up to their same business or crime

[Asker]

I assume so too

[OddBeMe]

Seems like I still see news stories. But def less influential.

[Asker]

Yes, definitely not like the 80s!

[hknmhmn4]

I dont think so, they were more active in 20th century I guess

[Asker]

They were more classic mobsters back then, you’re right

[hahahmm]

They probably are richer than ever and got out of most of the stuff that can get them arrested.

[Tamera952]

Not nearly like they once were.

[Asker]

Not as vocal and all over the news true

[Anonymous]

lol @ the people thinking they're not very influential today. Nancy Pelosi literally has family ties to the mafia and she's in a very influential position.

[Asker]

Not only her! Many politicians in America. I guess you’re right, they adapted over the years.

[Zeus_66]

Yes. Organized crime is never going anywhere.

[Asker]

I think so too! It will always exist.

[888theGreat]

Sure , they have a Governor in New York.

[Asker]

What makes you think he’s related to them besides his Italian ancestry?

[888theGreat]

The way he Governs

[Asker]

I’m not from NY so I wouldn’t be able to tell. I do know though that all our politicians are corrupt one way or another, both red and blue. It’s a dirty game!

[Hibyes]

they are there just well hidden in plain sight