Chapter 8

Crime/Prison

“02.19/00, DUNDALK DISPATCH ADVISED THAT BOTH OF THE MOORE BROTHERS ARE UNDER ARREST IN PHILADELPHIA! […] As word spread, a collective sigh of relief seeped through Baltimore’s brisk winter air. At home, Mary wept.” Pg. 155

This quote illustrates the various feelings towards crime and the emotional toll it takes on all people involved. The Baltimore police force saw arresting the Moore brothers as justice because it was possible one of them was responsible for killing a fellow police officer. Conversely, Mary Moore saw her two sons receive life sentences in prison.  This demonstrates all negative aspects of crime. Choosing to partake in criminal activity, Wes Moore was condemned to prison for life. A police officer lost his life, and a mother lost her two sons. This reveals that crime should never be a response as it deeply harms all people involved, from family members to those who try to stop it. The distressing part of this all is that some people turn to crime out of desperation, and may feel they have no other choice.

“ Maybe it was because he’d never thought long term about his life at all. Early losses condition you to believe that short-term plans are always smarter. Now Wes’s mind wandered to the long term for the first time. Finally, he could see his future.” Pg. 157

For the first time, Wes is able to see that his future is dim, and that spending the rest of his life in prison is not only a possibility, but a probable future. The fact that Wes never though long-term about his future, demonstrates that many times individuals need to think of the future, no matter how hard this may be to do. Spending the rest of one’s life in prison is an oppressive, and depressing thought, and the severity of the punishment only further reveals that crime does not pay, and punishments wait for those who partake in criminal activity.

Poverty

“Living in the Bronx and Baltimore had given me the foolish impression that I knew what poverty looked like. At that moment, I realized I had no idea what poverty was- even in West Baltimore we lived like kings compared to this.” Pg. 166

The description of seeing the poverty in South Africa above reveals that poverty is widespread and people around the world face financial problems, and consequently other problems that come along with them. This quote also demonstrates the stark differences in the definitions of poverty across the world, where a low-income family in Baltimore, could be considered rich in South Africa. Moore reveals the imbalance of wealth across the world, and the common hardships that people worlds apart may share.

Growing Up

“Here, burgeoning manhood was guided and celebrated through a rite of passage. At home, burgeoning manhood was a trigger for apprehension. In the United States, we see these same faces, and our reflex is to pick up our pace and cross the street. And in this reflexive gesture, the dimensions of our tragedy are laid bare. Our young men-along with our young women- are our strength and our future. Yet we fear them.” Pg. 170

Wes Moore, revealing the mixed emotions associated with growing up, starkly contrasts the difference in attitude towards manhood/womanhood in South Africa and the USA. Moore reveals that although the people are the same, their attitudes may change, which is a daunting thought. The young men and women are the future of the world, as one day, they will be the ones controlling it, and raising future generations.  Growing up in a rough neighborhood, Moore understands that many may fear young men, who have lived in dangerous areas surrounded by crime and drugs. This quote also reveals the importance of ensuring that each person is brought up well, educated, and in the future can be able to positively contribute to the world.

“ Fighting for your convictions is important. But finding peace is paramount. Knowing when to fight and when to seek peace is wisdom. Ubuntu was right. And so was my father. Watende, my middle name, all at once made perfect sense.” Pg. 168

Wes Moore’s further realization on the importance of peace reveals the fact that he has grown up, as well as demonstrates the mindset that many adults who are admired have.  Young men and women may wish to impulsively seek revenge, or look for a fight, but being a man or a woman means that each person selectively fights for what they believe and look to find peaceful solutions. Moore conveys his realization on the importance of peace by describing the thought process and wisdom involved in making decisions. This realization and wise way of thinking changed the author’s attitude, and better prepared him to face the world and life.