Non-F THE OTHER WES MOORE

"The Other Wes Moore" tells the divergent paths of 2 young men of the same age, both from the Baltimore area and both named Wes Moore.  Their lives' outcomes may serve as a cautionary tale. But,   this is much more a contemplative work to reflect upon.  What part does our circumstances play over one's own responsibilities in determining the paths our lives will lead?  The thought provoking author of "The Other Wes Moore" is a successful entrepeneur, Rhodes Scholar, decorated army veteran and married family man.  To clarify, I will refer to the author as Wes1.  The other Wes Moore I will refer to as Wes2.  Wes2 is serving a life sentence in prison for a robbery that resulted in the shooting death of a police officer.  Wes2 had an arrest record early on for drug trafficking and was a teen parent to 4 children.  I am not going to make excuses, or place blame - nor am I going to extol the virtues of either man.  I will suggest as does Wes1, there are factors, opportunities, and influential people who can have a major impact on another person's life.  Decisions are to a great extent based on what we are exposed to in our limited world.  However, the word "limited" is a term in constant flux.  One must take accountability of our own decisions, actions, for expanding our horizons and ultimately, for our own lives.  "The Other Wes Moore" tells a compelling & insightful history of both men.  Wes1 reached out to Wes2 in prison and we learn Wes2's story through their visits and correspondences.   Wes1 credits family & people who provided support, strong mentoring, encouragement & opportunities for his achievements.  Still, Wes1 is ultimately responsible for having committed himself to doing the work required.  Moore's reporting on both lives is a catalysis for the conversation surrounding personal responsibility.  This includes the responsiblity we have to others to provide opporutunities and compassion.  Wes1 informs the reader that everyone's mission "has to be to pull up others behind us." The potent message of these 2 men with shared similarities is painfully clear, "The chilling truth is that Wes's story could have been mine, the tragedy {including the officer's death} is that my story could have been his."