Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Life Choices

“Tony felt his brother’s life could be saved, even if he felt his own had already, at age fourteen, passed the point of no return.” Pg. 27

This quote illustrates the importance of life choices, and how such decisions could affect the lives of individuals. Tony, the Other Wes’s brother, can see that his individual decisions landed him in dangerous situations, whereas his brother had not yet faced the difficult decisions Tony had to make. The sad reality is that Tony realizes that he could have had a better life if his decisions had been better. Realizing his brother’s innocence induces Tony to support Wes to make the correct life choices and to stay out of bad situations in order to obtain a better life.

Importance of Role Models

“But the tough façade is just a ways to hide a deeper pain or depression that kids don’t know how to deal with. A bottomless chasm of insecurity and self-doubt that gnaws at them. Young boys are more likely to believe in themselves if they know that there’s someone, somewhere, who shares that belief.” Pg. 28

The importance of having a role model is emphasized greatly by Wes Moore. As stated, without an inspiring and supportive force, children are not able to feel valued, or important. Many of the young boys Moore refers too lack proper support from parents or mentors, and are unable to deal with the tough situations they must face in the dangerous conditions they live in. Although individuals must make decisions themselves, proper support and a degree of nurture may lead to better decisions being made, and the creation of a morally good human being, who will not involve themselves in dangers such as substance abuse or violence.

Single Mothers

“My mother slept in the living room to stand guard, she said. She didn’t want me and my sisters to be the first people a trespasser ran into if they entered the house. She was determined to protect us.” Pg. 36

Wes Moore bleakly portrays the difficulties single mothers face, especially those living in poverty. It is the sad truth that many women are abused, and forced to fend for themselves and their children alone in a hostile and dangerous world. Although demonstrating the difficulty of being a single mother, this passage also describes the deep love Wes’s mother had for him and his siblings. Regardless to their tough living conditions, Joy Moore is willing to do anything to protect her children, displaying the strength and love that many women show towards their children.

Honor

““Rule number one: If someone disrespects you, you send a message so fierce that they won’t have the chance to do it again,” It was Murphy Homes law and Wes took it to heart.”

The Other Wes is guided by his brother to believe that he must seek revenge from anybody who disrespects him, eventually leading to Wes’s first arrest at age eight. This “rule” that Wes so strongly believes in portrays that the idea of honor is prevalent and expected in his neighborhood. Although they might not want to, young boys and men are expected to defend their honor in the culture that Wes grew up in. This may lead to foolish decisions being made, endangering all of those involved, and their families. The importance of the defense of honor is put into question in this passage, as it is clear that consequences must also be considered.

Equality

“We were all enclosed by the same fence, bumping into one another, fighting, celebrating. Showing one another our best and worst, revealing ourselves-even our cruelty and crimes- as if that fence had created a circle of trust.” Pg. 45

In a world full of racial and ethnic discrimination, Wes Moore demonstrates that socio-economic status and pasts should not shape interactions with others. The basketball court is portrayed as and equalizer, wherein people are free to be themselves and leave behind any worries they have. Somehow, people of different backgrounds and beliefs managed to come together and enjoy each others company, demonstrating that while conflict and danger exists, it is very possible for people to come together and trust each other, and accept each others’ differences.