Marcelo, Philip, and Denise Lavoie. Gangster’s death brings abrupt end to old South Boston. Associated Press, 30 October 2018, https://apnews.com/article/97752f565f9147ac8ce9756973298648.
In Gangster’s death brings abrupt end to old South Boston, Philip Marcelo and Denise Lavoie explain how South Boston changed from being a “gritty, rough-around-the-edges” area to becoming a “hip, urban neighborhood.” In the article, the authors interview multiple residents who grew up in the neighborhood when Bulger “ran a ruthless gang responsible for loansharking, extortion and a string of murders”; one of the residents mentions that the area “feels safer today than it did in Bulger’s day,” but newcomers have added “new headaches.” This article was published around the time when Bulger passed, so the intended audience is individuals who have heard about his death and want to learn about his lasting impact on South Boston. The purpose is to allow readers to understand the history of South Boston, the significant role Bulger played in crafting South Boston’s past, and the sense of identity many longtime residents of the neighborhood feel for one another.
Since the article cited the words of many longtime residents, the quality of the story was reliable, considering the residents can provide the best idea of what South Boston was previously like. Most of the article wasn’t too helpful since it mainly talked about the new polished feel of South Boston (I don’t plan on including any of that information in my story). However, the authors did mention some useful information. For example, I now feel better equipped to describe the overall setting, atmosphere, and mood of my story, with groups of kids playing hockey in the streets and gangsters flocking to Triple O’s Lounge (a dive bar where, according to the article, Bulger would conduct his illegal activities).