Joe Colombo's Role in Establishing the Italian-American Civil Rights League in Godfather of Harlem Season 4 Episode 7 - Authentic or Contrived?
In the thrilling seventh episode of Godfather of Harlem season 4, titled "The Pawn Goes First," three months have passed, and Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker) opens his new club, The St. Clair, with a bang. Frank Lucas (Rome Flynn) displays some serious style with a chinchilla fur coat, though it seems to invite trouble rather than accolades. Even though they are not exactly pals, Frank attempts to mend the tension between them.
Meanwhile, Joe Colombo (Michael Raymond-James) is in hot water with the feds due to ADA Pike (Hudson Oz). An attempt to take Colombo down backfires spectacularly when he launches the Italian-American Civil Rights League. Let's unravel the truth behind Frank's flashy fur coat and Colombo's rights crusade.
Is Frank Lucas's fur coat really a problem?
The drama unfolds as Frank struts into The St. Clair in his furry attire, attracting stares and whispers. Following the grand opening, Benny, Bumpy's right-hand man, calls out Frank for looking like a "clown," suspecting the coat as a signal that Frank has been selling drugs for someone.
Though Frank recognizes the risk, he enjoys the attention his style brings him. Tragically, this show of extravagance ultimately leads to disaster—a car bomb explodes near Frank, leaving him shaken to the core. It's no surprise that the real-life Frank Lucas, on whose life the series is based, did indeed wear a chinchilla fur coat and faced scrutiny from law enforcement due to it. However, there's no evidence to suggest that the Italian American Mafia targeted Frank because of his fashion choice.
Stella (Lucy Fry) and Pino (Erik Palladino) eventually cut ties with Frank, unsure of the mastermind behind the attempted assassination.
Signs of change: Joe Colombo's Italian-American Civil Rights League
With the feds breathing down his neck, Colombo faces mounting pressure. Feeling attacked and frustrated, Colombo declares the Italian-American Civil Rights League, an organization aimed at fighting discrimination and misrepresentation of Italian Americans.
Interestingly, the real-life Joe Colombo did establish the Italian-American Civil Rights League in March 1970, with the purpose of addressing misconceptions and mistreatment of Italian Americans. The league's mission was to challenge the stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream society, equating Italian-Americans with crime and gangsterism.
As you continue to watch Godfather of Harlem season 4, unfold, keep an eye out for more exciting twists and turns. The series airs every Sunday on MGM Plus.
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In Godfather of Harlem season 4, episode 7, the narrative suggests that Frank Lucas's fur coat attracts attention, potentially inviting trouble. However, there's no concrete evidence to indicate that the Italian American Mafia targeted Frank because of his fashion choice. Meanwhile, Joe Colombo makes a stand against discrimination and misrepresentation of Italian Americans by establishing the Italian-American Civil Rights League, mirroring real-life events in 1970.
Frank Lucas's chinchilla fur coat might have attracted attention, but it doesn't seem to definitively prove that the Italian American Mafia targeted him due to his fashion choice. In a reversal of fortunes, the dramatic attempt to take down Joe Colombo results in the formation of the Italian-American Civil Rights League, a historically accurate event that combated discrimination and misrepresentation of Italian Americans. While the Godfather of Harlem series airs every Sunday on MGM Plus, the ensuing seasons will surely reveal more intriguing twists and turns involving both the flashy fashion and righteous causes in the series and TV world of movies-and-tv entertainment.
