Introduction to a Life of Crime
The speaker describes their life, which was marked by violence and crime from a young age. Growing up in a family involved in organized crime, similar to John Gotti’s, the speaker developed a strong hatred for the police and government due to constant surveillance and investigation. This upbringing ultimately led the speaker to become involved in a life of crime, which they prefer to call “racketeering” rather than being labeled a gangster.
Early Life and Influences
The speaker’s father, an underboss, was imprisoned for bank robbery when the speaker was 18-19 years old. The speaker dropped out of school to help their father by finding witnesses to reverse their testimony, which led to their involvement in a life connected to their family’s and community’s circumstances. This experience, along with others, shaped the speaker’s perspective on crime and their role in it.
Consequences of Crime
A person is falsely accused of possessing a cutthroat razor, arrested, and taken to the police station. Despite claiming innocence, they plead guilty to avoid jail, receive a fine, and are subsequently sacked from their job due to their new criminal record. This downward spiral exposes them to actual criminal activity, highlighting the harsh realities of being involved in crime.
Initiation into Organized Crime
The speaker recounts being taken to meet the boss of an organization, who offers them a chance to join. The boss emphasizes the seriousness of the commitment, requiring 24/7 availability to serve the family. The speaker enters a recruit period, lasting two and a half years, where they must follow orders to prove themselves worthy.
Oath of Loyalty and Brotherhood
The speaker recalls a ritual oath of loyalty and brotherhood, emphasizing the importance of not betraying one another and respecting each other’s families and territories. This oath is a pivotal moment in the speaker’s life, marking their commitment to the organization and its code of conduct.
Life in the Organization
The speaker discusses their experiences within the organization, including being inducted into the Columbo family and taking an oath. They also recount a past experience where punctuality was crucial, and being late was unacceptable. These experiences shape the speaker’s understanding of the organization and their role within it.
Traumatic Experiences
The narrator recounts two traumatic experiences: witnessing the devastating aftermath of a friend’s brutal beating and murder, and being near their boss, Joe Columbo, when he was shot. These events give the narrator a stark view of the violent life they are involved in, and they reflect on how they initially didn’t care about the harm they caused.
Reflections and Redemption
The speaker reflects on their past, acknowledging they’ve done bad things, but also feeling they’ve been blamed for more than they’re responsible for. They share personal stories, including helping a friend in trouble and being betrayed by someone close to them. The speaker also discusses their experiences with law enforcement, stating that they were arrested numerous times but never caught doing anything wrong.
The Law and Its Consequences
The speaker recounts their experiences with the law, having gone to trial five times and being either dismissed or acquitted each time. They express frustration with the system, particularly the RICO Act, which they believe is a devastating statute that allows for severe punishment with little evidence.
Legacy and Reflection
The speaker reflects on their past, facing 300 years in prison, and how many others received similar sentences. They share their own experience of serving 13 years and being featured in a 1986 Fortune Magazine article as one of the 50 most powerful mob bosses. The speaker notes that, 30 years later, 48 of those listed are dead, one is serving life, and they are the only one alive and free.
Personal Life and Redemption
The speaker discusses their personal life, including their marriage and family. They reflect on their past life, acknowledging it was a struggle to leave due to the sense of brotherhood and camaraderie, but ultimately consider walking away a blessing. The speaker expresses gratitude for having peace and a beautiful family, which they consider priceless.
- The speaker’s life was marked by violence and crime from a young age.
- They were involved in organized crime, preferring to be called a “racketeer” rather than a gangster.
- The speaker took an oath of loyalty and brotherhood, committing to the organization and its code of conduct.
- They reflect on their past, acknowledging the harm they caused and the consequences they faced.
- The speaker ultimately finds redemption and peace, leaving their life of crime behind and starting a new life with their family.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Pronunciation | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racketeering | /ˈrækɪtɪərɪŋ/ | The act of engaging in dishonest or fraudulent business dealings, often in an organized manner. | The speaker preferred to be called a racketeer rather than a gangster due to the nuances in the terms. |
| Underboss | /ˈʌndərˌbɒs/ | A person who is second in command to a boss in an organized crime family. | The speaker’s father was an underboss who was imprisoned for bank robbery. |
| Surveillance | /sərˈveɪəns/ | The act of closely watching or monitoring someone or something, often in a secretive manner. | The speaker developed a hatred for the police due to constant surveillance and investigation. |
| Cutthroat | /ˈkʌθroʊ/ | A person who is ruthless and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed, often in a violent or aggressive manner. | A person was falsely accused of possessing a cutthroat razor, leading to severe consequences. |
| RICO Act | /ˈriːkoʊ/ | A law that allows for the prosecution of organized crime leaders for crimes committed by their subordinates. | The speaker expressed frustration with the RICO Act, believing it allows for severe punishment with little evidence. |
| Acquitted | /əˈkwɪtɪd/ | Officially declared not guilty of a crime. | The speaker was acquitted multiple times despite being taken to trial five times. |
| Organized crime | /ɔːrˈɡænɪzɪd/ | A type of crime that is planned and carried out by a group of people, often with a hierarchical structure. | The speaker was involved in organized crime from a young age, following in their family’s footsteps. |
| Testimony | /ˈtɛstɪməni/ | A statement or evidence given by a witness in a court of law. | The speaker helped their father by finding witnesses to reverse their testimony. |
| Recruit | /rɪˈkuːt/ | A person who is newly joined or enlisted in an organization or activity. | The speaker entered a recruit period, lasting two and a half years, where they had to follow orders to prove themselves. |
| Oath | /oʊθ/ | A promise or vow, often made in a formal or solemn manner. | The speaker took an oath of loyalty and brotherhood, committing to the organization and its code of conduct. |
| Camaraderie | /kæməˈrɑːdəri/ | A feeling of friendship and mutual trust among people who spend time together or share a common interest. | The speaker found it difficult to leave their life of crime due to the sense of brotherhood and camaraderie. |
| Redemption | /rɪˈdɛmpʃən/ | The act of making something or someone better or more acceptable, often by compensating for past mistakes or wrongdoing. | The speaker ultimately found redemption and peace, leaving their life of crime behind and starting a new life with their family. |
| Legacy | /ˈlɛɡəsi/ | A gift or property left to someone in a will, or the impact or influence that someone or something has on future generations. | The speaker reflected on their past, considering their legacy and the impact their actions had on others. |
| Traumatic | /trɔːˈmætɪk/ | Causing or relating to a psychological or emotional injury, often resulting from a distressing or disturbing experience. | The speaker experienced traumatic events, including witnessing a friend’s brutal beating and murder. |
| Devastating | /ˈdɛvəsteɪtɪŋ/ | Causing extreme shock, sadness, or destruction, often in a sudden or unexpected manner. | The speaker witnessed the devastating aftermath of a friend’s brutal beating and murder. |
| Punctuality | /ˌpʌŋktjuˈælɪti/ | The quality of being on time or arriving at the expected moment. | The speaker learned the importance of punctuality within the organization, where being late was unacceptable. |
| Inducted | /ɪnˈdʌktɪd/ | Formally introduced or welcomed into a group, organization, or activity, often in a ceremonial manner. | The speaker was inducted into the Columbo family and took an oath, marking their commitment to the organization. |
| Code of conduct | /koʊd əv ˈkɑndʌkt/ | A set of rules or principles that guide behavior or decision-making within an organization or community. | The speaker took an oath, committing to the organization’s code of conduct and respecting its rules and principles. |
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Grammar Focus: The Use of the Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred before another action in the past. It is formed using ‘had’ + the past participle of the verb. For example, ‘I had eaten breakfast before I went to school.’ This tense is useful for showing cause and effect, or for describing a sequence of events in the past.
