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Visual Art

The chosen form of visual art is an abstract piece that displays child-like figures within adults. These two children are connected through the two grown individuals, even though the individuals’ backs are turned away from each other. This image can be related to the text with the statement spoken from one of the Moore’s, “The common bond of humanity and decency that we share is stronger than any conflict, any adversity, any challenge” (Moore 168). That ‘common bond’ that Wes Moore is talking about is symbolized through the young children within the adult figurines. As the children are touching hands it is to symbolize the connection of hope in humanity and internal understanding between every human despite the conflicts within society. The adult figurines are turned away from each other to represent the set of individual issues presented in every person’s daily life. These issues can separate society and dissolve the societal unity that people may have with each other. The metal intertwined to make their form represents how it can consume a person and be overwhelming as it springs from one place to another. The children, seen to be whole and made of gold, are representative of the inner connections between people with each other that hope will always prevail no matter however many boundaries there may be to try and separate society. Children seem to grasp life at it’s more positive end and see no corruption between them and a situation in front of them. In the memoir, the concept of waking up the inner child is seen very evidently within the Moore who is jailed as he begins to regain motivation to improve for his daughter as he attends his rehabilitation sessions. Likewise, the motivational drive within the other Wes Moore gets awoken when trying to get in contact with his fellow Moore and share their story as a message of unity and a hope of its restoration; “Young boys are more likely to believe in themselves if they know that there’s someone, somewhere, who shares that belief.” (Moore 28).

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Song/Instrumental

Nicholas Britell’s “Agape” is a musical piece that seems to encase the beauty and emotion that Wes Moore’s The Other Wes Moore holds. In the beginning of the piece, it starts with a subtle introduction to violin, strings, and piano, then delves into a more sophisticated symphony of the entire string orchestra. The beginning of the piece resembles the beginning of a story or journey one may take. Wes’ mother states, “Did you know the cops are looking for another guy from your neighborhood with your name for killing a cop?” (Moore 168). This is the moment that ignites Wes Moore’s passion for meeting his fellow Moore; the willingness to discover their stories together. It is when Wes Moore has his eyes opened to the beauty of his country and gaining a new passion for her safety when in military school. As he sees the ardor of the other soldiers and colonels, he chooses to be contributive of the cause. Not only of the school, but in everything he does in his life, especially when it comes to his mother. When the speed in the musical piece increases and flutters with instruments, it is to represent the thoughts flooding Wes’ mind. “My desperation for her support was in constant tension with my desperation for independence and freedom. I projected apathy about her feelings, but I wanted nothing more than to make her proud. In other words, I was a teenager, deathly fearful of disappointing her but too prideful to act like it mattered” (Moore 82). He is in constant battle with his wants and his mother’s wants, representing the entrance of more instruments and increased volume of the musical piece. The piece’s intensity and constant volume fluctuations encapsulate the statement Wes made when meeting the other Wes Moore in jail, “Wes and I stared at each other for a moment, surrounded by the evidence that some kids were forced to become adults prematurely” (Moore 66). In the final moments of the piece, in a declining of volume and slow dismissal of instruments, it represents the end of the memoir when both Wes Moores reflect on each other’s progress, each reflecting on their journey; one finding a hope in religion and becoming a devout Muslim, and the other pursuing a career in internal relations.

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Connection to the Real World

In the world today, it is not abnormal that racial discrimination is at an all-time high. With the Black Lives Matter Movement, the choices and decisions made on impulse has affected people worldwide in both positive yet negative ways. The decision of finally giving the overdue attention to the black community had a powerful beginning, until things got out of hand. Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old white male from Illinois, was charged with murdering two and critically injuring another at a Wisconsin protest. He was illegally armed with an AR-15-style military rifle, and decided that it would be beneficial if he put his foot down and made a very ill-thought entrance. His poor decision in the moment could have sacrificed his future reputation without him being aware of it. If it wasn’t for the community around him paying for his $2 million dollar bail, his future life could have been demolished. In the memoir, the main goal of both Wes Moores’ is to teach teenagers all over the world that their decisions can have a very powerful impact on how they live in the moment and in the future. Whether it be affecting them positively or negatively. “The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. The tragedy is that my story could have been his” (Moore 180). As the Moores reflect on their decisions there is this final thought of the journey: if Wes Moore hadn’t chosen to speak about their story, who would educate the young fellows around the globe about the significance of their decisions; be their representation? If the other Moore hasn’t decided to begin doing right decisions in rehab for his daughter, who would represent the hope of rising up from previous bad decisions and correcting the wrongs? “My only wish – and I know Wes feels the same – is that the boys (and girls) who come after us will know this freedom. It’s up to us, all of us, to make a way for them” (Moore 180). Both Moores are prime examples of the products of their decisions, hoping to make an impact on young adults today.

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Exploring a Personal Question

After reading the memoir, I began to see my own life differently. I gained this new understanding of how significantly my life could change if I chose to do one thing over another. But also, how would my life change if I did absolutely nothing? “The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. The tragedy is that my story could have been his” (Moore 180). When Wes Moore said that it was scary how his fate could have been prisoner Wes Moore’s and vice versa, I was imagining my barriers and dreams. What if I was the one holding back on what I was most passionate about by choosing to do what is easier rather than what was effective? In grade 10, I kept giving myself excuses to prevent me from pursuing the goals I needed to reach for the day. My grades weren’t the best, and I knew I was not performing at my prime potential. This year, I chose to change that. I began to get my act together, raise my grades, and most importantly, take care of myself. It hasn’t been easy, but it eventually became a habit to finish all my goals for the day before winding down. The memoir really struck me as I stopped and asked myself, “how many chances and opportunities has procrastination and ill decision-making taken from me? How could my life have looked if I pushed through my hardships and began my strive for success earlier? The moment I read about the Wes Moores in the midst of each other, I thought of the current me sitting across from my past self. It brought me a subtle fear knowing that if I hadn’t changed my actions, I would be exactly where I was a year ago, or even worse. I can no longer recognize the tenth-grade girl sitting across me in my mind. I always think “the  procrastination of today is the willing sacrifice of tomorrow’s success”, and with that mentality, I am driven every day to build my future and achieve my dream; one day at a time.

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Creative Entry

The creative piece chosen is an artful display of both of the Wes Moores in the memoir. On the left, we have a properly dressed gentleman who appears taken care of and neat, representing author Wes Moore and his decisions and how they lead him to success: being a global speaker spreading the message of his story. The man on the right represents prisoner Wes Moore wearing a prisoner’s outfit. The facial expressions on both men show the status of satisfaction of each man with his life. The calm and composed face of author Wes Moore in the drawing shows that he is happy with the choices he’s made and grew from his experiences. The expression on the prisoner Wes Moore’s face is dissatisfaction and regret because of how his poor decisions lead him to jail, a place where he knew too much in his youth. The hand in the middle holding the weight scale of justice represents the impact that decisions and opportunities can have on one’s future. Everyone’s decisions have both consequences and advantages, and sometimes second chances are presented to flip the consequence into a benefit. “From everything you told me, both of us did some pretty wrong stuff when we were younger. And both of us had second chances. But if the situation or the context where you make the decisions don’t change, then second chances don’t mean too much, huh?” (Moore 66). Every person’s destiny is fairly laid out by what is chosen to do with opportunities life presents one with. The success of a future is determined by the wisdom of one’s decisions in the present, and this is why the hand with the judge’s scale is in the center of the Moores. It is a subtle reminder of how each Moore’s life was fair and it only needed their decisions to change it for better or worse.