Years ago, I remember a made man shot and killed another families made man. The response was swift and arguably inhumane. The fallen made man’s city members flew to his murderers city and killed every last one. It was savagery. If I remember correctly no one was spared. The Godfather of the fallen made man and leader of that onslaught came out to share publicly that no one is to harm his made man without serious repercussions. The fear settled in that one should not be promoted to the honorable status of made man so freely, rather that individual has to display loyalty and achieve certain criteria of the family.

I remember long ago, a leader made something truly quite extraordinary for his made man that should they reach that special level they would go through a personal journey with the crew leader where they had to respond to certain questions properly otherwise they’d be removed from the crew. Then once promoted to made man, they received bodyguards for protection and were celebrated in their head quarters as a person the family honored. The promotion of made man was something so near dear to the leaders heart that he personally shared with each of them how he was willing to give his life, everything he worked for, for them. 

I have known it to be that should you achieve One Million Dollars in donations that you would be eligible upon being a made man. I remember learning that some had the requirement that you must have been active in the streets nearly twenty-five times alongside starting a conversation yourself. I also know it to be that some had hidden requirements that were withheld as they just wanted to be have trust for their member and feel that their member was loyal. With all of these being viable ways for an individual to be brought into a family, none of which are wrong and are all unique to their own crew, which I personally really love.

What is it that separates a wise guy from a made man to you? Is it anything more than an individual who is allowed to carry additional weight and has lived a little longer than an earner for the family? Is there something uniquely special to the role of made man that you consider it borderline sacred to that of a family? When you see a made man, do you say to yourself, that man is untouchable or do you consider that the sacredness of being made has grown absent over time? That truthfully getting your button is nothing more than what feels like pushing a button, an automatic response. 

I believe personally there are several criteria an individual displays to me and a code of conduct that must be held from any made man. And when I see a made man i see a person who exemplifies responsibility to his family, communication and loyalty, I see a person who likely gives much money and someone who has no problem with surrendering his life for his family especially for his leader. I see made man respond to the call by living out a code of conduct.  

That code if conduct is one of proper etiquette in communication privately and publicly. That when you are a made man, you represent your crew leader at all times and it is never permissible to act otherwise. I believe the way you are to conduct yourself in the various street conversations should be one that reflects the value your leader has placed in you. I feel made men are directly responsible for bringing crew activity to flourish by reaching out to the wise guys and earners and deepening relationships with them. An expected role is to be active in chatting with the crew and meeting with the crew leader regularly. 

The weight of a made man is great in my book. When I see a made man, I see an individual the leader would lay his life down for. The made man has earned loyalty and is willing to sacrifice his life for his crew. Yet, somehow I am compelled to know, what does the rest of our world see when they encounter another made member of a different crew? What does the rank of made man mean in your lens? 

Bellicose pushed the pawn to E4 and leaned back. Taking a sip of his morning coffee. Conversations and Coffee. He looked up from his chess table?

Does anyone else play chess? I would love to play with someone one of these days.