The Other Wes Moore; One Name, Two Fates
Book by: Wes Moore
Chapters 6-8 Blog

Education as a determining factor in our futures

Discussions around education followed us in our class from the very beginning of this semester to our latest conversations about “The Other Wes Moore”. Besides using these last two chapters to describe the end of the other Wes’s freedom, the author also talks about the genesis of his mentorships and his educational experiences. I personally enjoyed learning more about the author’s education, especially after reflecting on how education may have influenced the two main characters’ lives and futures.

As the author writes with so much passion about his schooling in these last few chapters, I feel that in those lines exists an unconscious comparison between him and the other Wes Moore. It is quite obvious that his training and the guidance from his mentors shaped him as a person, and assuredly gave him a push out of the threatening environment he was in. On the other hand, the absence of these thing in the other Wes Moore’s life in all likelihood conditioned his future. Therefore, in their case, education and its advantages could be considered as a golden ticket which only one of them earned.

The last chapter of the book might be one of my favorites because of the way the author’s words painted vivid pictures of his study abroad experiences. The author makes a great point explaining that “when we’re young it sometimes seems as if the world doesn’t exist outside our city, our block, our house, our room. We make decisions based on what we see in that limited world and follow the only models available.” (Wes Moore, 2010, p. 179). That connects to the threatening environment they grew up in and how only Wes Moore was able to benefit from those kinds of opportunities.

His study abroad experiences are also a pure example of how eye opening and mind-opening it is to be introduced to new cultures and stories. His months in South Africa as an exchange student narrate the history and cultural lessons he absorbed from the people there. That process is something I relate to myself as an international student in America, and I too think that my life will change and improve because of such a special and authentic educational experience.

Additionally, the praise the author gives to his mentors truly reveals the impact they have had on him. This is also a part I can compare to my experience with the Honors program and the mentors I have gained there. Having people that can guide us and appreciate us makes a huge difference in our lives; their support motivates us to become the best versions of ourselves and their examples inspire us to go after our dreams.

I believe that if the other Wes Moore encountered better role models and had access to good education his life path could have changed entirely. This story just shows how unfortunate and unfair life can be for people who do not have access to good education, but it also proves that it is possible to transform your whole life if you are able to grab on to the right opportunities for you.

References

 

Moore, Wes, 1978-. (2011). The other Wes Moore: one name, two fates. New York :Spiegel & Grau Trade Paperbacks.