Why we Love White Gangsters

“Why we Love White Gangsters”

By Glenn Peppers 

Amazing how we all glorify the horrible crimes depicted of people in the past. In fantasy, as well as in real life. Especially the likes of gangsters and thugs of white america in film, yet people of color who are portrayed as gangsters, and folks of ill repute in cinema are thought of most often times as lowlifes, hooligans and animals! Most people will tell you (black or white) that "The Godfather" was and is their most favorite movie of all time! Followed by Scarface! The original 1932 film, and the 1983, Oliver Stone/ Al Pacino remake. 

We in america love our white gangsters film stars! Hollywood made them handsome, romantic, brave, and tough! America loved gangsters like, James Cagney as “The Public Enemy.” Back in the 1930‘s and 1940’s, being a gangster meant you were a Real Tough Guy! You were a quarter flippin’ George Raft kinda guy. Yeah we did it! We made heroes of gangsters, and we partly have Hollywood to blame! In film, (as in real life) Cinema represented the gangster spirit of america’s “Conquer and Rule” ideal set forth with pioneering settlers during america’s colonizing period of the old west; pillaging and marauding the land, and its indigenous inhabitants (native americans), and calling those who did so, heroes in folklore and song! What would stop it from continuing in the american cinema?  

In later years, Lawrence Fishburne played real life Gangster, Bumpy Johnson in the movie, “Hoodlum.” I thought it was an admirable role, and I felt it was an excellent movie, yet “Hoodlum” went largely un-noticed by white movie goers. Apparently not many envisioned Hoodlum as a hero type gangster. At the very least, not one to be admired!

The Godfather came off as a movie that depicted mainly recently immigrant Italian men (and their children), just after turn of the century Chicago. They came off as proud/principled men who took what they wanted. Ate well, lived well, married well, dressed well, and despite their many sins against humanity, displayed an unshakable honor among themselves in this quiet, well shot Brian Depalma film, which was beautifully directed. The film neatly set them in the heartland of america, scratching, and demanding their place in the american lexicon and mainstream. And for some reason, we all (myself included) love and revere films like The Godfather, Scarface, and Public Enemy stories as kind of a history to to honored, and remembered...and watched at least twice out of a year on Blue Ray/DVD/Cable! 

Still we all have to think about why is it ok to love and admire a white gangster, thief and murderer, and not one of Arab, African, or Asian decent. Why wouldn’t an Asian gangster saying “Leave the Gun, take the Egg Rolls!” sound as cool and iconic to us as the classic Godfather line: “Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli?” Would we find it offensive, stereotypical, or just not Hollywood cool enough? And if so, why? 

I think African American movies like "Set it Off" starring Jada Pinkett and Queen Latifah, (a movie featuring four down on their luck black women pushed to the brink of financial desperation, resorting in bank robbery) somewhat changed that view with its sincere story line, its endearing/relatable home-girl camaraderie, and Thelma and Louise flavor in the ending. Still, as endearing as the characters are in “Set it Off,” many outside black culture saw the movie simply as typical, and the characters only as ghetto, female bank robbing thugs; and not well meaning, disadvantaged americans women, fighting and clawing their way into a corner of happiness, and the so called american dream! 

A most underrated Film 

Personally, I enjoyed “Set it Off,” as it showed first hand from a black female perspective how easy it can be for one to be pushed into desperately doing something you never thought you’d ever do to survive. Set it Off also showed how easily things can go horribly wrong, in an instant! 

Back in america’s gangster heyday, plenty Chicagoans justified the crimes and the likes of Al Capone, mainly because Capone did actually give back to his community. Yet and still, just because its white crime, doesn’t make it good crime! Fascinating... There's even polarizing racism in crime! 

By Glenn Peppers 7-23-13