The Other Wes Moore: An Outlier

Malcolm Gladwell once said, “...people who are outliers—in men and women who, for one reason or another, are so accomplished and so extraordinary and so outside of ordinary experience that they are as puzzling to the rest of us as a cold day in August.” The author, Wes Moore, of the book, The Other Wes Moore, is considered an outlier through the “Gladwellian” lens based off of Gladwell’s book, Outliers. Wes’s story demonstrates objectives that define him as an outlier with the contributions of where he’s from, his advantages, and also his attitude over his ability. These contributions therefore define him as an outlier through the “Gladwellian” lens.

The contribution of Wes’s background played a role in him being an outlier. In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell states that, “It is only by asking where they are from that we can unravel the logic behind who succeeds and who doesn’t” (19).

Many parts of Wes’s life through the “Gladwellian” lens have played a contribution towards him being an outlier. The lessons he was raised with has played a large part. He will not disrespect women and he will think before he acts. These lessons have helped keep him on the right path. Even though at times, he may want to ignore them, his background tells him otherwise. The advantages he had also played a significant role. His mother’s sacrifices and good intentions have given him an advantage that has allowed him to obtain greater opportunities. Military school has not only given him more opportunities, it has also changed his attitude and perspective. His attitude has allowed him higher ranks amongst his fellow cadets and also jobs and new experiences. Even though Wes has achieved great things, every outlier has one thing in common. They were not alone along the way. As Gladwell once said, “The culture we belong to and the legacies passed down by our forebears shape the patterns of our achievement in ways we cannot begin to imagine”