Other Wes Moore

Joe Reidy The Other Wes Moore tells a story of two young men growing up in similar situations. No father, kipping class, drug influence some situations the Wes Moore’s have to deal with, however one ends up a road scholar and influential author the other ends up in prison serving life. This book is a prime example of how certain choices can determine the rest of one’s life.
Personal responsibility, self sufficiency and citizen leader ship are boldly highlighted and brought to life in this work. Wes Moore shows how all these traits play into life and where you can end up. Personal responsibility is portrayed throughout the whole book in both of the Wes’s moms. These two women took full responsibility for themselves and their children. They had kids in the declining economy for african americans during the 80’s. Both being place with their families in difficult situations. Giving the fact that both dad’s were out of the picture, after one dies and the other one is a deadbeat, they do there best to raise there children. They get multiple jobs to provide a home and food to their family. The lack of personal responsibility is also show in many ways throughout the story. At one point in the story Wes, the successful one, is caught tagging a bridge with is friend Shea and is very upset with himself and seems like he wont do it again, but he says he ends up in jail the next week. This leads to Wes ending up in a Military school which turns out to be great for him but at the time he was very against it. Self sufficiency is one of the most important qualities one can have to succeed in this world. Both the Wes’s showed aspects of self sufficiency in their lives. The Wes that ends up in prison was very capable of taking care of himself, just not legally. He was running a complex drug operation at the age of twelve and controlled man “corners” as became older. Although that isn't a great example it is one. Another was the self sufficiency of the Author Wes. He clearly