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

both boys living in contrasting environments that are located throughout America.
Poverty intertwines with crime and helps contribute to the overarching theme that men need to be tough and violent. Underdevelopment is palpable throughout the crumbling, drug-laden streets of the Bronx where “over half of the eight thousand residents [live] below the poverty line (29).” The unfortunate solution to rise out of unemployment is crack. The way a man is known throughout the Bronx is to hit the streets and become absorbed in the drug business. This substance is extremely accessible and “the demand [is] bottomless (74).” Tony, the other Wes Moore’s brother, “[builds] a fierce reputation in the neighborhood (27)” and works in a successful drug enterprise. Wes sees his brother as a “certified gangsta (27)” and he becomes a symbol of manhood in Wes’ eyes. Tony protects Wes and “[feels] his brother’s life could be saved (27)”, so he teaches Wes to “send a message (33)” and live the Bronx style of fighting; if “[they] hit you with a knife, you fight them with a gun (121).” Wes lives by these mantras and lets violence rule his life.
Wes Moore, growing up in the Bronx as well, also experienced the manly culture on the “streetscape of poverty (153).” Wes, growing up and “playing ball (79)” with boys in the neighborhood, never has an older male figure to guide him through life. His goal is to be “credible with the kids in [his] neighborhood (76).” Slowly, like most kids living in impoverishment, the road they take is one that ends in infringement. Wes acts as his other persona,“Kid Kupid (80)”, and he eventually starts to become more involved with infractions and skipping school. He wants to “fit in (52)” with his friends who commonly did the same thing. School isn’t seen as a priority to the boys in the Bronx, it’s simply an inconvenience. The culture in needy areas creates an unacceptable future for many of the boys transitioning to men.
Surrounded by young drug dealers and living beneath his brother’s grandeur shadow, the other Wes can’t help but stumble into the “drug game (57).” Starting as a teen, Wes makes a small fortune dealing “crack cocaine (73),” this greatly builds up his pride and makes him feel like a true man; tough and feared. Wes, when Alicia tells him she’s pregnant, starts to “[make] time for other girls (101)” as a “sexual time filler (103).” Since he’s working in a successful drug monopoly, his ego blooms and he feels he can do whatever he wishes, even if someone else needs him. Yet, growing up fatherless, he isn’t “sure [if] he [has] a role (101)” as a parent. This is the typical masculine culture in the Bronx, the intention is to fend for yourself.
Concepts of manhood dramatically change when someone is introduced to a different environment. Wes experiences a new world when he attends military school. There are many aspiring and successful male figures for him to pursue to be like. The men have much more confidence and they “demand [...] much respect from his people (96).” Wes gradually adopts a new view of what it truly means to be a man. He “[looks] at the bigger picture (121)” and never involves himself in illicit activities. He shows more dignity to the people he cares about by living by a strict honor system where he will “not lie, cheat, or steal (115).” He thrives in school and receives “academic [...] scholarships (115).” He finally feels like a man when he “first [feels] accountable to people other than [himself] (66)” by being “one of the ones in charge (115)” of the new recruits. “The uniform [...] [becomes] a force field that [keeps] (118)” the Bronx livelihood from getting inside.
Men, in the United States, are seen as the fearless and brawny protectors of society.

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

ones.
Notions of manhood is dissimilar for each man because of the different environments that he grows up in.

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

poverty.