September 8, 2019
In the Sunday New York Times magazine, the writer asks, “Is Fredo a movie reference or an ethnic slight?” Let me ask a different question. If you were to walk into a bar, see a black person, and call him “Buckwheat,” would that be a racial slight? I am old enough to remember “Amos and Andy” with all of its characters like Lightning, Kingfish, and Sapphire. I do not think that any African-American would consider being called any of those names a compliment. I am a conscientious objector when it comes to Mafia movies. I admit there is some great entertainment provided by “The Godfather,” “Goodfellas,” and “The Sopranos,” but I choose not to indulge. I prefer “The Agony and the Ecstasy” or anything by Fellini.
The Spin Doctor 