The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates

“The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates”, this story is about two young men who lived in the heart of Baltimore. Both young men were African American males who were named the same name and shared some similarities, but their lives went in two completely different paths. Mary’s Wes Moore ended up in prison for a robbery that went wrong and Joy’s Wes Moore, he became a bestselling author of several books (Moore xi). These young men were raised by two strong willed mothers that were educated, but shared different family values (Moore 9 and 17). These things helped and hindered the shaping of their character. Clearly, the impact of their mother’s choices in men had such a drastic impact on both young men. Wes Moore, the son of Joy; his father was loving and provided
leadership in his home (Moore 7). While on the other hand, the other Wes Moore, the son of Mary; he was forced to grow-up without his father’s guidance (Moore 25). His father was an alcoholic (Moore 23). The two young men had to live with the fact that their fathers would forever be a missing part of their lives. Joy’s son would miss his father because of an untimely death and Mary’s son would not have his father present in his life because of his father’s drinking habit and mixed-up priorities (Moore 3 and 14). As an African American student, I think “The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates”, is a very good book that every African American should take the time to read.
This book highlights some modern problems affecting most African American men and families. It also sheds light on how important the family unit is and having a thriving support system when trying to raise children in a society where parents are forced to work two and three jobs just to make ends meet. Both parents of both Wes Moores, they were single-parents doing the best that they could with what they had. Both mothers had to work jobs that required them to spend precious time away from their children. This sounds like the fate of most single-parents and their children (Moore 48). Joy, she worked two jobs in order to send her children to private school and Mary worked to provide for her family (Moore 47). Each families support system became very important. Joy’s son support system was mainly his grandparents when she was at work (Moore 47). However, Mary’s son support system was his older brother who was not a positive role model (Moore 71). The lessons that both young men had an impact in their lives and help to shape their
paths. As a single African American woman attending college, this story has helped me to become more focused and driven to finish college. It has taught me that the best intentions and planning can be altered by one fatal mistake; marrying the wrong man or a sad one-night stand. Parents choices in mates can have a lasting effect on their children. The value of my companion matters. Looking at my neighborhood and seeing the similarities of some of my peers in the lives of Joy and Mary, I am saddened. I see women working as hard as they can to make things work for their family. The character of Joy and Mary are all around me. They are my aunts and my friends. If I could yell for the mountain top to other sisters in my community, I would say; “Leave those little boys alone and wait on a real man with real family values”. For me, the greatest lesson that I take away from this story is the value and importance of family values and the importance of positive role models. Each child need them in their lives to help shape and mold them. The strangest thing about looking from the outside into the lives of others, we will never actually know the pain of the other person. However, lessons can be learned by observing those who are around us.