Note

      Due to the prevalence of mobs during the roaring 20s organized crime was at an all-time high. Therefore it became apparent that mobs would undoubtedly need to recruit members to replace any that die in mob fights or any that got thrown in jail for bootlegging. Now, the question becomes how the mobs of that time would recruit young impressionable males. They would tell people what they want to hear, that their dreams can be realized.

      After this realizations mobs would then use the well-known propaganda techniques of card stacking and glittering generality. This is illustrated by Al Capone when he stated, “This American system of ours, call it Americanism, call it capitalism, call it what you will, gives each and every one of us a great opportunity if we only seize it with both hands and make the most of it.”  Upon the epiphany that mobs would have to recruit and make joining the mob and committing illegal acts sound great, I was left with two options: make a recruitment poster or make a recruitment video.

      Considering the fact that it is highly unlikely mobsters would post flyers around town, saying join the mob. I decided to make a recruitment video as a substitute for the real life recruitment meeting mobsters would have had in warehouses. Since females would not have been taken seriously as a mob boss, I dressed incognito. I donned my acting hat, my mom’s ankle length leather coat, my black boats, and my darkly tinted glasses. I was ready.

      Once I researched common terminology used during prohibition and referring back to The Great Gatsby I formulated a script of blatant propaganda. The main theme I got across was to join to succeed to have a chance at living the American Dream. The dream of wealth, renowned, love and contentedness. Overall, that’s how I proudly recruited for the JAK mobsters.

 

Source:

• Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 2004. Print.

• "Slang of the 1920." Slang of the 1920. Web. 02 Feb. 2016.