Masculinity In The Other Wes Moore

“The Other Wes Moore” By Wes Moore, reveals how two men can develop differently in the same social environment, and yet and have different intrapersonal views. The two men grew up in the same impoverished city, yet both have different experiences and views of what it means to be a man. The other Wes Moore, living his whole life in a poverty-stricken society, believes that being a man means to be powerful and unforgiving. The author, Wes Moore, living in two different worlds, views himself as a man when he becomes an exceptional leader and responsible for others lives. These concepts both tie into the constructs of masculinity in the United States where men are supposed to be protectors of society. The two Wes’ notions of manhood derive from

When Wes’ sister is attacked by another girl at school, he plans to “avenge [his] sister (78)” and confront the younger girl. He believes he performs his duty as a man; protecting the weak, even though he is only a mere eleven year old. The other Wes realizes there is more to the world than the drug business. He is “tired of watching drugs destroy entire families (138).” He joins the Job Corps and starts “thinking differently about his life (142).” Other students at the center look to Wes for help, he “[becomes] a leader (142)” for the first time in his life. Wes works on his dream at the Job Corps, and that is to “protect his young daughter (143).” He builds a “house big enough for her to get in (143)” so she’s sheltered. He is now a man in the eyes of society. Yet, only receiving inconsistent jobs, he never makes enough money to support his children, so he turns to crime to answer the call. The United States aspires for all men to be protectors of the country, yet it’s not possible if these men can’t fend for themselves or their loved

A man who only understands a destitute world believes that men need to be robust and savage to survive in such harsh environments. Most of the children that are raised on the deteriorating streets inevitably arrive on the path of crime and drugs. Yet, if a man is secure from these circumstances, he can dramatically improve his life for the better. When he leaves his normal surroundings, Wes becomes a powerful and just leader who finally sees himself as a man when he is “accountable to people other than [himself] (66).” The two Wes Moores become what America deems is a proper man; a protector. Yet, it’s impossible to play this role when no man can protect himself on the streets of