Many seem to think he was. I know he spoke badly of blacks but he was old-school and didn't know better, in my humble opinion. Prison changed that. Gotti was put on his ass by a black guy in prison but didn't snitch or seek protective custody, which goes a long way in prison. Gotti's beefs were honestly with other Italians, understandably. He was never really around blacks, prison changed that. What are your thoughts?

Who gives a shit if Gotti was racist or not. Neighborhoods were very territorial back then. You dont think blacks are racist? They are. That black guy that hit Gotti was much younger and bigger. That means nothing except for the fact that the black guy went after Gotti because of his fame and he knew Gotti was smaller and younger. Thats a typical move in prison by the way.

NYC is self segregated by neighborhoods, people like to be amongst those from the same ethnicity and culture. There are many areas where you can never encounter someone from a different ethnicity if you choose to. That being said John Gotti was a huge racist and used to mock Willie Boy Johnson for being American Indian, calling him half-breed. Willie Boy resented this and it played a part in his decision to becoming an informer. John might have invited a Black or Puerto Rican over for a barbecue, maybe. But you weren't gonna find a moulignon at no baptisms, communions, confirmations, weddings or family functions. For example, South Ozone Park is right next to Howard Beach where in 1986 Michael Griffith, a young Black man, was set upon by local neighborhood youths, and chased onto the Belt Pkwy where he was struck and killed by a passing motorist.

Thanks for all your input, you won't get any judgment from me here, I'm just trying to gain a better understanding. I love and hate everyone the same lol.
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What do you think would of happened if an Italian went into a black hood at night? He would get robbed and shot, lets get real.

You're asking if a guy when he knew he was being recorded during prison visits said:

"Being a ni**er is an embarrassment"

"You have all these kids out here today imitating coons, ni**ers that's what they're doing"

Of course he was a racist, Sammy Gravano made it a point to let people know he was, but so what? Nobody looks up to him more than the blacks, go figure..

Yes,Gotti was a racist. As said Cnote he called Johnson half breed,Mark Reiter was the "fucking Jew" and Gotti was punched because called "ni**er" the black guy.Gotti's problem was that he liked to talk behind everyone's back. Johnson decided to cooperate because when went to prison in the early 1960s Carmine Fatico,promised,but didn't help his wife and two children financially.

Generally speaking Black's don't view people by their ethnicity but rather by their skin color, you're either Black or not, and if not, you're White. They don't differentiate whether you're American Indian, Armenian, or Anglo Saxon, you're White people. Some neighborhoods, like E. New York, Brownsville, Soundview in the Bronx, certain projects in Harlem, it doesn't matter what color you are. If you ain't from the Hood or the Block, and don't have anyone to step up for you, you're gonna have problems. As soon as you step on the street your being scoped out and evaluated, and if you're not sagging and representing the Hood in your mannerisms and dress. You're gonna be exposed and sized up for a mark and you're gonna get jacked, straight up.

Gotti was from the old-school, so I can imagine seeing young Italians "act black," ie, sagging their pants, walking with a limp, grabbing their nuts, listening to rap, getting earrings, etc was all foreign to him and something that he couldn't relate to. I can see both sides. I can see the world through his eyes and I can see why some would call him racist. As for Carmine Fatico not keeping his promise to Wilfred Johnson, this is why the mob is in the shape it's in. Even if you don't give a damn about the guy, you should be wise enough to know that it's for the greater good to take care of a guy's family when he's away. The Fatico crew made more than enough money to do so.

I don't like most blacks. I think they are worthless.

Not racist, as I judge based on character and culture. Unfortunately most blacks are scumbags and the real racists. Gotti was 100 % correct in the things he said even though he could have worded them differently.

Bullshit Furio. First, Johnson cooperated due to being caught selling heroin. Second, in that generation most people held views more "Racist" than Gotti. Do you think Bumpy Johnson loved Jews, Italians, and Hispanics?

Was Bugsy Seigel Transphobic? What were his thoughts on cross dressing?

Were Vito Genovese and Franklin D. Rosevelt in favor of gay marriage?

Was Meyer Lansky racist? Did Frank Costello love Black people?

Jace,can easly both things.You are a loyal man despite be called half breed but once in prison nobody help your family.Anyway Bumpy was born in 1905 and the blacks hates everybody!
Only in recent decades are saying or doing certain things considered racist and inappropriate. But Gotti, in addition to being a racist, was also an idiot who loved to badmouth everyone and everyone whether they were Johnson, Reiter or Gravano.

There's a tape of him in conversation with Victoria on a prison visit where he says: "Being a ni**er is an embarassment."

I think that's your answer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTNChH8YjQ8&list=PLB2D1FFF96DDE1F51&index=6

. Fair Points

How many people born in the 1940's didn't talk that away, or worse? Did your grandparents call them African-Americans?

The kind Gotti was referencing are scum. Pure trash.