because youre reading way too much in it...
...its really not that serious.
a large part of hip hop culture revolves around making your money in the black market...
...so its only logical they are going to take their cues from people that are well known for it.
has nothing to do with racial pride or lack thereof
Its more than taking cues.
There's definite idol worship. The racial issues come in when you idolize a group who actively and verbally express their disdain for a people.
The Italians are historically one of the most racially hostile white etnic groups towards black Americans.
Theres a clip of a reporter interviewing John fukking Amos outside of the courthouse at Gotti's trial. He said he didnt know him but really liked the way Gotti handles himself.
James fukking Evans Sr.
Decades later theres footage of Gotti screaming at his grandkids for "acting like ******s" as casually as he would if they forgot to take out the trash.
Its okay to respect someone for how they handle themselves. Idiolize a group who think you're simple, degenerate two bit crooks is another thing.
New York rappers get vicarious thrills through mobsters like everyday people get vicarious thrill through rappers.
.
Its all fantasy and escapism.
. The main difference is the mafia where (is) racist af against black people. John gotti is literally on video calling black people n1ggers. They used to purposely sell drugs to mainly black people to keep us subjugated while they thrived. There were literally mobsters who used to drive around and kill random black people they came across. Alot of black men have no sense of pride and it's truly embarrassing when you break it down
.
