Why is the idea of ‘going straight’ so unappealing to the incarcerated Wes and his peers? What does it mean for our culture to have such a large population living and working outside the boundaries of the law?
The other Wes finds the idea of ‘coming straight’ repulsive because they have ...
Why is the idea of ‘going straight’ so unappealing to the incarcerated Wes and his peers? What does it mean for our culture to have such a large population living and working outside the boundaries of the law?
The other Wes finds the idea of ‘coming straight’ repulsive because they have never seen into their future. They were always in the present moment. They desired both the money and the name and renown. They were eager to go straight since it would save them time, effort, and money. It indicates a high level of deprivation. It is tough to attain and maintain a high level of education. Working illegally is a quick and simple way to make money. It means that, before their fate is sealed, we must assist disturbed children in getting their lives in order. Because of his mother’s influence, the original Wes Moore traveled down one path at several important points in his childhood. Unfortunately for the other Wes Moore, no one could persuade him to take the ‘right’ path, so he went down the easier, more glamorous path of gang culture and drug trafficking.
Discuss the relationship between education and poverty. In your discussion, consider the education levels of both Wese’s mothers, how far each man got in his education, the opportunities they gained or lost as a result of their education, and their reasons for continuing or discontinuing their studies.
Poverty and education are inextricably intertwined. The poorer you are, the more difficult it is to obtain a good education. The mother of the original Wes went to college and worked as a writing assistant. Wes’s mother had to drop out of college due to a lack of funds. Because their fathers were not present, their moms served as role models. Wes progressed a lot further in school because his mother pushed him and did everything she could to make sure he had a solid education. The other Wes didn’t graduate college, but his mother hoped he had, but there was only so much she could do with such a limited budget. He got his GED, but that was it. Wes originally considered his mother, grandmother, uncle, and future, prompting him to pursue a career as a teacher. The other Wes had no family, had children, dealt drugs, and decided that high school wasn’t for him, so he dropped out.
Talk about the role of the family and especially the presence or absence of fathers in the lives of children. Consider the role of the two mothers, Joy and Mary, as well as siblings and extended family (grandparents, etc.) in this book.
The importance of family in one’s life cannot be overstated. Wes 1 has had Joy, Nikki, and Shani for the majority of his life. Although his father, Westly, had passed away, Wes still had a few memories of him that had a significant impact on his life. Wes 1 and his deeds were very important to Joy. She needed so much money to send Wes 1 to military school to straighten him out that she had to go around asking her friends and family for money. Wes needed to be the best student and person he could be, and Joy wanted to help him achieve that goal. Wes 2, on the other hand, did not come from a stable and happy home. Mary was a part of Wes 2’s daily routine. After robbing a jewelry store and killing a police officer, his father, Bernard, was sentenced to life in prison. Tony, Wes 2’s brother, was also a drug dealer, but he lived with his father in a different family. Tony tried to be a positive influence on Wes 2, but Wes refused to listen. When it came to grandparents, Wes 1 had the support and backing of his grandparents, however, Wes 2 did not. Wes 1 and 2’s habits, acts, and personalities are all influenced by their families, homes, and communities.
