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An excellent choice for a theme song to depict the memoir The Other Wes Moore is “Sky’s The Limit” by The Notorious B.I.G. This incredible novel brings to life the realities and bitter truth of families living in poverty and young men being drawn into a life of crime. “Young men go through a daily struggle trying to navigate their way through the deadly streets, poverty and the twin legacies of exclusion and low expectations”(Moore 170.) Perfectly compared to the beginning of “Sky’s The Limit” The Notorious B.I.G sings about the low expectations he had of his future and difficulties throughout his early years. The lyrics, “when I was young, I had two pairs of lees”(B.I.G 1.26.) illustrates the humble beginnings he came from and what little he had. The song portrays Biggie’s early life and captures many of the challenges both the Wes’s undertook as children; later describing their very different fates. He writes “eighty-eight long gates” (B.I.G 3.10.) and “real-life beginner killers praying God forgive us for being sinners” (B.I.G 3.18.) which reveals his drug dealing days and the time he spent incarcerated. This verse of “Sky’s The Limit” relates to the outcome of the other Wes Moore’s life as he allowed the shortcomings and challenges of his childhood to decide his fate. The similarities between the song and the memoir are uncanny. Later, in the third verse, the song reflects the author Wes Moore’s realization that the sky is the limit with hard work and positivity. Just as he said, “too see the endless possibilities of the wider world and the unexpected possibilities within myself” (Moore 179.) The Notorious B.I.G reflects on his past mistakes and that he wanted more from his life of drug-dealing and crime, leading him to become a successful rapper. “Sky is the limit and you know that you can have what you want, be what you want.”(B.I.G 2.23.) Both the Notorious B.I.G and Author Wes Moore share in this realization at points throughout their lives; their roots and histories are bonded. They come from the same place and fight to believe that their journey through life is in their control and limitless.

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Am I on the right path?

After reading The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore, my mind began to wander through the many choices I have made, and ultimately whether I am on the right path to achieve my goals. Both men were presented with choices and opportunities starting from a young age that affected their future, leading to two very different fates. My goals consist of attending Ivey Business school, starting my own business, staying close to my family, and giving back to others. A choice that I believe will positively impact my future is attending Villanova College as the school takes pride in giving students the tools needed to succeed. Through Unitas, Veritas, and Caritas values, Villanova has taught me to be a better person and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. My choice can be compared to Wes Moore attending Valley Forge Military School, where he discovered who he wanted to be and the journey he needed to take to get there. From a young age, I loved to skate, I took this passion and became a competitive figure skater. For years I lived and breathed skating; did this make me successful? Yes, not only did I win medals and become recognized in the sport; I also learned the qualities of hard-work, determination, positive attitude, and courage. Unfortunately, I endured an ankle injury that made me question if I should continue skating. After rehabilitation and physical therapy, I could have gone back; however, I chose to quit. Reading this memoir brought me back to this challenging time in my life, and I could not help but question if I chose the right path. "Failing doesn't make us a failure. But not trying to do better, to be better, does make us fools"(Moore 185.) After quitting, there were times where I felt like a failure, but as time passed, I realized that the important values I learned from skating could be applied to many other aspects of my life that have allowed me to grow and succeed. Similarly, the author Wes Moore learned through his negative choices and used those experiences to his advantage. "Our destinies can be determined by a single stumble down the wrong path, or a tentative step down the right one" (Moore xiv.) I learned that choices could be minor setbacks and test one's ambition, pushing people to work harder. Growing up with a supportive family, choosing to attend Villanova College, and gaining many strengths through figure skating is my "right path". This book inspired me to continue making positive choices, ensuring I will reach my goals.

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Throughout the moving memoir, I experienced various emotions that connected me to both Wes Moore's lives. The unfortunate experiences that both men encountered growing up made me realize that not everyone has it easy. "Early losses condition you to believe that short-term plans are always smarter" (Moore 157.) In reading this quote, I realized that both men carried this mindset throughout their lives due to losing their fathers at a very young age. Understanding and coping with a significant loss as a child is known to lead to criminal behavior and drug abuse. I am fortunate to have both my parents in my life to guide me through challenges and teach me important lessons, therefore it saddens me that not everyone has the same opportunity and blessing. The fact that Wes Moore worked hard and became successful in his position at Job Corps and legally provided for his family gave me hope. However, the temptation of money and being involved in the heist was enough to alter his path to possible success, which led to being sentenced to life in prison. It is disappointing to see how significant one wrong decision can be and how much it can affect the rest of a person's life. Contrarily, given that the other Wes Moore grew up enduring similar challenges and difficult situations and was still able to pick himself up and change his path, humbled me. His life story made me realize that there is always a way to learn from challenges, correct the problems we face, and return to a path of growth. Both Wes Moore's stories opened my eyes to the challenges that many people face around the world and the idea that every choice one makes in life can positively or negatively impact their future. These two men's lives inspired me to use the challenges that I face in my life as a learning experience rather than a reason to rebel. As a teenage girl, I now understand that even small decisions are important and the choices I make are the building blocks that form a foundation of who I want to become.

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The Notorious B.I.G. - Sky's The Limit (Official Music Video) [4K]

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Final Jail talk/ conversation video between the two Wes Moore’s

This is a rewired ending or could become the final two pages of The Other Wes Moore, One Name, Two Fates.

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Investigate:                                                                                  “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. The most important thing that happened to me was not being physically transported-the moves from Baltimore to the Bronx to Valley Forge didn’t change my way of thinking. What changed was that I found myself surrounded by people--starting with my mom, grandparents, uncles, and aunts, and leading to a string of wonderful role models and mentors--who kept pushing me to see more than what was directly in front of me, to see the boundless possibilities of the wider world and the unexplored possibilities within myself. People who taught me that no accident of birth--not being black or relatively poor, being from Baltimore or the Bronx or fatherless--would ever define or limit me” (Moore 179.)   

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Investigate:                                                                                  “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. The most important thing that happened to me was not being physically transported-the moves from Baltimore to the Bronx to Valley Forge didn’t change my way of thinking. What changed was that I found myself surrounded by people--starting with my mom, grandparents, uncles, and aunts, and leading to a string of wonderful role models and mentors--who kept pushing me to see more than what was directly in front of me, to see the boundless possibilities of the wider world and the unexplored possibilities within myself. People who taught me that no accident of birth--not being black or relatively poor, being from Baltimore or the Bronx or fatherless--would ever define or limit me” (Moore 179.)   

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Is one the product of their environment? This is an important question that is continually debated. This passage is significant as the author explains how various factors can influence the fate of two boys who share the same name, race, and hometown. An environment is not necessarily a place, but the surroundings and conditions in which a person lives. To Wes Moore, people played the most extensive role in discovering endless possibilities leading to whom he could become. Along Wes's path, he had access to many success stories including Colin Powell's book, Captain Hill at Valley Forge, and his father who was a successful journalist that allowed him to imagine a life beyond what was immediately around him. His mother's hard work and sacrifice working many jobs not only gave him the opportunity to attend military school but taught him one of the greatest life lessons; sacrifice and perseverance can produce an excellent foundation for success in one's life. Unfortunately, the other Wes Moore's environment did not provide him with stories and examples to inspire him; he believed that his fate was trapped within the small borders and walls of his home life. His father left him, his mother quit school, and his brother was involved with drugs. Therefore, he lacked the positive influence leading him down a path with no hope of change and fewer opportunities. Imagine if Wes was exposed to a mentor (coach, teacher, or friend) who helped him believe that he could do more with his life than remain and follow in his brother Tony's footsteps. His mind needed to be opened to the idea that he had the power to change his current situation and find a new path with limitless opportunities. Stories, experiences, and people were an integral part of what differentiated the two men's lives and ultimately led them to their fates.