AP+2016+Whitey+Bulger

Collin FitzSimmons

Aim: The purpose of spreading the story and history of Whitey Bulger would be to possibly warn everyone away from becoming intermixed with such a person. For example, Bulger left South Boston poor due to his gambling operations and created a disaster zone for the community to clean up; instead of falling in with those of his ilk, learning Bulger’s story would be better than allowing impressionable youth to fall victim to his stories. Since media advertises gangsters as powerful people with money to burn, it’s very possible that young people could be “inspired” to follow in his footsteps and continue his spree that was finally put to an end in 2011. Despite being locked up, however, Bulger’s story could have deeper roots and a longer reach; the purpose of learning about Bulger’s history would be to warn people away from his crimes and discourage youth to ever get involved with such processes.

Cultural: Whitey Bulger was a notorious crime boss in Boston. He terrorized the city while expanding his reach by robbing banks from Rhode Island to Indiana. He rose through the ranks to crime boss in the Winter Hill Gang. He sanctioned numerous killings in Boston while also building a massive drug empire. He used his resources as crime boss to work as an FBI informant to take down the Patriarces, a New England organized crime family. While taking down other organized crime mobs he was building his very own, that was even more powerful and dangerous than the others. With him being such a successful crime boss in South Boston he had complete control over the area. He would sell drugs and run gambling operations that left South Boston poorer than ever.

Historical: Whitey Bulger's effects on South Boston throughout his reign as the Winter Hill Gang’s crime boss were very negative. He left most of this already poor area even poorer. Through his drug dealing, money laundering, and gambling he had complete control of South Boston. With control of the local police and many FBI agents he showed how corrupt law enforcement can be. He also will always be remembered as one of the FBI’s top 10 most wanted man. and at one point in time was the 2nd most wanted man just behind Osama bin Laden. South Boston is still recovering from his reign and the infamous Winter Hill Gang is still at large because of the actions he took.

Audience: Whitey Bulger was a very successful crime boss, and he wouldn't have been able to be one without some help. Early childhood friend Agent John Connelly who worked for the FBI was one of the biggest reasons Bulger was so successful. Bulger would tell him where other crime families were located which allowed Bulger to become the most powerful crime boss in Boston. Also in 1995 Agent John Connelly tipped off Bulger telling him to flee Boston because their was a warrant for his arrest. This allowed Bulger to evade the law for the next 20 years. While he was a crime boss he was in control of upwards to 40 people who would do anything he told them, from robbing banks, selling drugs, and even murder.

Work Cited:

"Whitey Bulger Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.

"Whitey Bulger | American Crime Boss." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.