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Ciara MacGinley

Dr. Medina

English 1A-20

5 October 2017

Breaking Down Stereotypes One Wes Moore at a Time

Similar to both Wes Moores, I grew up without a strong father figure. Instantaneously I

was drawn in by the family dynamics of both Wes Moores and where they obtained support and

guidance. Similar to myself, it was primarily through their Moms. Whether they had a large

support system or lacked the presence of certain family members, their families helped develop

both characters into the men they became. This family love and support (or lack of) also created

a relatable and touching dynamic for the reader. Wes Moore, in The Other Wes Moore, uses the

rhetorical appeals of pathos and ethos to get his readers to empathise with the characters and

depict how the stronger family presence and support that is present, the more successful each

Wes Moore is in future.

Wes Moore commences his biography by acknowledging the absence of a father figure in

both their childhoods. However, the other Wes Moore pointed out [Wes Moores] father wasn't

there because he couldn't be, [as the other Wes Moores] father wasn't there because he chose not

to be (3). The fact that neither Wes Moore had a father growing up had a huge impact on both

young men's lives. However, Wes Moore is raised to view his father as a man that wanted to be

part of his life and would have been a supportive, loving figure if provided the opportunity. The

other Wes Moore feels a sense of abandonment from his father. His father wanted no part in his

life. Many environmental factors work against the other Wes Moore in his life and often his own
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school, community and local authorities have no faith or investment in his success. In addition to

that, even his own father did not believe in him enough to stay around. The reader sympathizes

for each Wes Moore as they read how their fathers disappear from their lives at such a young

age. Not only does Wes Moore layout a strong emotional and sympathetic connection between

the reader and each Wes Moore by beginning with the absence of their fathers, but he sets up a

logical structure for his novel. Wes Moores logical appeal sets up his biography to go back and

forth between both Wes Moores lives. This allows the reader to watch both boys simultaneously

grow up and helps distinguish where there lives began to drastically change. Both Wes Moores

began to decline in school and get involved with crime and the police. Although it is unfortunate

to hear these boys lives being determined and ruined at such a young age, it does give credibility

to Wes Moore. Firstly, he gives an objective non-bias telling of his childhood since he allows

himself to include less positive aspects. For example, he includes his failure in school, police

involvement, and unfortunate beginnings at the military academy. Wes Moore is also an

incredibly reliable source to tell the other Wes Moore's story. He comes from a similar economic

and racial background so he can truly understand the other Wes Moores experiences and aspects

and accurately translate that into his novel.

Both Wes Moores had family members and figures to rely on for support and guidance

throughout their childhoods. Although he was not physically present in his life, Wes Moore did

have his father as a source of support. Wes Moore also had his uncle Howard and grandparents.

Their, along with his moms, faith in and sacrifice for his future was a huge incentive for Wes to

push himself to perform better academically. The other Wes Moore lacked such figures in his

life. The closest thing the other Wes Moore had to a father figure was his older brother Tony.
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Tony saw potential in the other Wes Moore and wanted a better future for him. Tony, was

desperately trying to give his little brother information he thought he needed, the kind of

information that Tony never got. Tony felt his brothers life could be saved, even if he felt his

own had already, at age fourteen, passed the point of no return (27). Since Tony also had his

father absent from his life, he was never provided a good role model. Tony was also unable to

guide the other Wes Moore since he was not a constant presence at home and did not set a

positive example. The other Wes Moore lacked the support system and extended family Wes

moore had. It is still extremely admirable how Wes Moore was able to become so successful

considering his background, but the reader is able to sympathize with the other wes moore since

he was provided with even less opportunities and support in his childhood. Tonys love for his

brother highlights the other Wes Moore's potential and positive aspects. This evokes a more

sympathetic view upon the other Wes Moore. Tony also shows how easy it is to fall into a

negative lifestyle and how that has no reflection on the character or their potential. The reader is

further provoked to question how much of the Wes Moores drug and police involvement is his

fault. It is important for the reader to see how circumstantial and environmental Wes Moore's

negative choices and path is so that they can further analyze why there are people involved with

drugs and the incarceration system in our society. Once one can see the root problem of this

negative cycle, it can begin to change.

However, both Wes Moores moms cared deeply for them and tried their best to give

them positive opportunities. Since neither of them had fathers, both Wes Moores moms were

forced to take upon another role. They became financially responsible for their families as well

as for the well being of both boys. Growing up in a lower-income neighborhood created many
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obstacles for both Wes Moores. Often the cycle of crime and poverty was continuously

perpetrated, even in their own families. Neither of their moms wanted their children to fall in this

cycle. Wes Moores mom initially moved in with Wess grandparents house so he would have

more family members and support while he grew up and was also provided the opportunity to

attend a better school. When Wes failed to succeed in school and began to have involvement

with the police, his mom sent him to military school. For Wes to attend this school, his mom and

grandparents had to make great financial sacrifice. The phone call Wes Moore makes from

military school provides an opportunity for his mom to show how much sacrifice she has made

and the pride and love she has for her son. His mom reinforced to him that she is so proud of

[Wes Moore] and [his] father is proud of [him]. [They] just want [him] to give this a shot. Too

many people have sacrificed in order for [him] to be there (95). The other Wes Moores mom

also loves and supports her son. She is unable to provide the educational opportunities Wes

Moore had but she still tries hard to keep her son away from drugs and crime. Unfortunately, the

other Wes Moore had fell into selling drugs multiple times. When the other Wes Moores

involvement with drugs is revealed at his younger brother's birthday, his mom chooses to, at least

temporarily, ignore the situation. Even though she deeply cares about her son and wants the best

for him, she is unable to provide him with enough resources and guidance since she has no other

family to help her. Wes Moore uses the family dynamic to form a relatable connection and

attachment to his reader. No matter what background his audience may come from they are able

to connect and empathize with the motherly love and sacrifice. The reader, once again, can

empathize with the other Wes Moore since his mom does not have the ability to be more

involved.
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Wes Moore, through the use of pathos and ethos, is able to draw in his readers and reveal

a deeper message of how lower income African Americans are placed in a cycle of poverty and

crime and the overcoming, or succumbing to, these obstacles. Wes Moore uses the structure of

family to reveal these obstacles and the importance of support to ensure success. Wes Moore also

creates family dynamics and relationships the reader can relate too. For those in situations

similar to both Wes Moores, Wes Moore is able to provide hope and prove there is a plausible

escape from the cycle of poverty and crime. For those of a different background from Wes, he is

able to reveal the struggles and break down stereotypes that are prevalent in society. A convicted

felon has a very negative image in society yet Wes, through the Other Wes Moore, is able to

deconstruct and question the validity of these stereotypes. Wes Moore accomplishes this by

portraying the harsh conditions of their environment (Baltimore in the 1980s) which lead to

their involvement with the police. Through the telling of both Wes Moores childhoods he gives a

new perspective for the reader, as well as provoking them to relate and empathize with each

character. The sources of support played a large role in the development of each Wes Moore and

their futures. Moores effective use of rhetorical appeals helps the reader connect and empathize

with each Wes Moore, regardless of their outcomes.