Wes Moore: A Positive Role Model

According to Wes Moore’s words in the epilogue, I determined the factor that was his turning point as he clearly indicates that he was “entrusted with responsibilities” by strong mentors (179). Most of the responsibilities Wes Moore was entrusted with began at his study in the military school. On the other hand, the other Wes Moore’s responsibilities were a product of bad influence and polyamory.

The author reveals that he hung out with the wrong people which afforded him to be arrested by the police due to vandalism. Because of this incident, the author Wes was sent to Valley Forge, a military school in Philadelphia. The author claims that the author Wes had a difficult time at first and had tried to escape the school several times; but when he discovered that his mother and his grandparents sacrificed a lot just to send him there, he decided to stay and eventually became a platoon leader. However, Moore states that the other Wes got involved with the use and distribution of drugs, like his brother Tony. The author mentions that the other Wes got his girlfriend pregnant and adds that the news of early fatherhood made him frustrated. Moore states that the other Wes stopped attending school and expanded his drug selling business. The author states that the other Wes was arrested for selling drugs to a police

It also suggests that the possible actions of Wes would be on the basis of emotions alone, rather than that of logical thought. Just like the imagery that author Moore uses, the other Wes’s emotions are also emphasized in the idea that he chooses to remember; “Send a message” (104). This single thought shows that, in his anger, he is going to fulfill the loaded meaning of how he feels at that

During the two Wes Moore’s teenage years, they had run ins with people that turned violent. Part of how they reacted to these situations are attributed to what their peers are doing and where they live but how they overcome, or fail to overcome these obstacles helped put each of them where they are today. When Wes had a run in with Ray for sleeping with Ray’s cousin, Ray put a pretty big beating on him, but it was how Wes chose to react that put a nail in his coffin.

Wes 2 remembered that his mother liked to go out dancing and partying with her friends at clubs. She showed herself to be a bad role model several times. One thing she did was going from one abusive relationship to the next. By the end of the book she had three children with three different fathers. She even had her last boyfriend, who was married to another woman, practically living with her and her sons. She would say with her words that she was against using drugs, however, when Wes 2 found the marijuana in her pocket he found out the truth. He also found himself trying to emulate and prove himself to his older brother, Tony, who was also a walking contradiction. Not only did Tony deal with drugs, he dropped out of school, and taught Wes to solve problems with physical force. His words were of encouragement for a better future for his brother, but his actions proved that he didn’t believe better was possible. The author writes “Wes didn't think Tony was a hypocrite exactly--he knew why his brother felt obliged to warn him off. But it was clear that Tony didn't have any better ideas or he would've made those moves himself” (Moore page 71). Wes 2 was learning through what he saw being lived out through his mother and

The other Wes Moore is also considered to be deviant by his poor decision-making and careless choices. He dropped out of school, sold drugs, participated in a robbery of a jewelry store, and was a convicted murderer with a life sentence. There was many sociological factors that led to the other Wes Moore’s deviant behavior; the absence of his father being an important factor. Although both the author Wes Moore and the other Wes Moore grew up without a father, it affected the other Wes Moore a little more considering the fact that his father chose not to be in his life. Also, Tony had a big impact on the decision he made for himself. Throughout the story, Wes would remember what Tony told him about demanding respect. “Send a message,” And Wes would do as Tony said. The problem with the other Wes Moore was that he lacked positive influences in his life and he had no motivation to live a better life until it was too late.

In order to help the author Wes, Joy sent him to military school because she knew that the choice she made for her son would ensure that her son would be able to go into the world completely disciplined and prepared even if he hated her for sending him away. When explaining how the book was written, the author acknowledged, “This book is meant to show us how… our destinies can be determined by a single stumble down the wrong path, or a tentative step down the right one” (Moore xiv). She made the decision as a mother for her son’s entire future that ends up stopping him from making decisions like the other Wes Moore’s. The author acknowledges that the decisions he made and the decisions that the other Wes made affected their lives forever when he said, “The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. The tragedy is that mine could have been his” (Moore 180). The other Wes Moore made poor decisions in his youth that led to a continuous use of drugs, alcohol, and unprotected sex. These decisions ultimately led to Wes being put into jail, hurting the ones he loved and changing his future

In chapter two, Wes was playing football aggressively with some kids. The boy gets mad and throws a punch. Woody told Wes to not to retaliate. Wes ran home and grabbed a knife. Then, he started to chase the boy while the police pulled up. The police commanded to put the knife down, however Wes did not hear him; too consumed in his anger. “… He [police officer] lifted all eighty pounds of Wes off the ground, slamming him face first on the trunk of the police cruiser” Wes was only eight years old. This is the start that Wes made a decision that changed his life. He ignored two warnings and experience the injustice of the police at a young age. The way the police treated the children was unjust. Although Wes was engaging violence, the police did not arrest the other kid and questioned him why Wes did the action of chasing him with a knife.

While Wes Moore was able to change his situation and begin to make better decisions, the other Wes Moore was never able to accomplish such task. During one of their conversations, the incarcerated Wes said, "From everything you told me, both of us did some pretty wrong stuff when we were younger. And both of us had second chances. But if the situation or the context where you make the decisions don't change, then second chances don't mean much, huh?" (66). In the same conversation, about ¼ of the way into the book Moore realized an important aspect in life, "I sat back, allowing Wes's words to sink in. Then I responded, 'I guess it's hard sometimes to distinguish between second chances and last chances.'" (Moore 67).

We can see how these experiences are a transformation to Wes in general. One of his Wes experience where he has a conversation with his Father about protecting. It goes “Main man you just can’t hit people and particularly women. You must defend them not fight them…. My father and I start for another 5 minutes before he led downstairs to apologize to my sister and my mother. (page 11)” This exposure to Wes further plays in later parts of his life. For example where Wes was attack by a racist he chooses not to fight back because he has flashbacks to these experiences. Of his early life and how people educated him to always be formable. The style that Wes was taught shine in this, if you read through the book. The book doesn’t mention of Wes ever getting himself into fights. Thus pomp a glorious procession of Nurture conquering over Nature in what determines success. Another instance where Wes is instructed to be more courteous. It is said in the book and it reads “you kids are way too young to be in this situation but you know what I see kids like you every day If you don’t get smart I am certain I will see you again that's the sad part … the cops gave us a gift and I swore I would never get caught in a situation like that again” (page 83 to 84). This experience Wes had is symbolic it shows his outlook on the police. Where the other Wes Moore would find to view the police has an obstacle for his business. Author Wes Moore would portray them as being cops. People who enforce crime to those who have broken it. That's what exactly author Wes Moore has done and he understands he has done wrong through that people have taught him. While other Wes Moore sees them has a hurdle to make riches. Due to the drug game exposing and giving him the ideology he has to dodge bullets and that's a daily activity for those in the game. This ties in with

Despite self-awareness, a person make many decisions everyday, even if many are subtle. Getting out of bed, deciding what clothes to wear, and even the attitude you display to others. While there are many factors that contribute to these decision making, a major factor is who your role model is. Role models, whether they be a close friend, family member, or historical figure, can influence what you aspire to do, and how you live your life, per say. In The Other Wes Moore, role models play a big role shaping the lives and decisions of both Wes’s, leading them to their current places in the world.

However, there were additional challenges specific to this Wes that may have pushed him down a path of delinquency. He is a highly emotionally reactive person – which is especially troublesome in impoverished environments where there is an increased emphasis on toughness. His older brother, Tony, taught him at a young age that, “if someone disrespects you, you send a message so fierce that they won’t have the chance to do it again” (Moore, 2015). Wes took this advice to heart. This lesson, combined with his temper, leads to a series of violent conflicts throughout his life – many of which ended with Wes in handcuffs. His neighborhood in Baltimore was rife with drug dealing activity; it was very common for the young boys in the area to enter the business (Moore, 2015). Wes’ older brother got involved from a very early age, and (as Wes’ main form of supervision/caretaking for much of his childhood) served as a role model. Wes followed the only path that he knew; the path that would give him money and

Moore, the author, states that Tony is persistent that his younger brother, Wes, is not following his example of being a drug addict, but instead is staying in school and out of trouble. Still, Tony and Mary’s attempts fail to prevent Moore from doing drugs. Rather than taking Tony’s advice, Wes chooses to follow and copy his older brother, Tony, and both of them ultimately end up being sent to prison for the same

Among his peers, Mr. Moore is considered hard working and dedicated to providing the best possible support in educational process of all children. He is also willing to provide assistance, and undertake projects that are design to have a positive effect on students’ lives. He expects his students to work hard in school and represent CVHS positively, constantly challenging them to do their best in all personal pursuits. Simon does a tremendous job of establishing and maintaining high standards both academically and behaviorally through all his interaction with students. He has been able to establish superior rapport with his students through his fair and caring demeanor. These are just a few incidents where Mr. Moore has had a positive

This may be Michael Moore's greatest and most objective film and brings up many subjects the American culture needs to look so they can progress and re-strengthen their country. I think he delivers a good role-model because he questions the intentions of people in and about the government with objectivity from any organization other than a civilian resolute to make the top choice when voting. Really that's the accountability of every American citizen: you get to control the government, although you need to know what you're doing. This movie also points out that the chance to become the presiding class should not overshadow the strength and unity of a group or nation working jointly to reach a mutual goal. Though some of his strategies can be