thesis statement for the other wes moore

The Other Wes Moore Essay (Critical Writing)

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Introduction

Critical review, works cited.

The Other Wes Moore is a 248-book written by Wes Moore in 2010 and published by Spiegel and Grau. While in his final year at university and after being given a Rhodes Scholar award, Moore learns of another man with whom he shares a name from the newspapers (Moore, para. 1). The man is on his way to prison accused of murdering a police officer.

Moore learns that he shares a great deal with the suspect and not just a name: they are from the same neighborhood, were born almost in the same year, lost their fathers during their childhood and were raised by their mothers, however, their later lives differed immensely.

The Other Wes Moore looks at why the lives of the two men who shared a common background ended so differently. How did Wes Moore end up in the army, speak at the 2008 National Convention, and get employed by Condoleeza Rice while the other Wes Moore was serving time in prison. How did one man achieve so much in life while the other is simply known as the ‘Other’ Wes Moore?

Why the Immense Difference

At first glance, The Other Wes Moore looks interesting as the author discovers the odd coincidences between him and the man who is charged with shooting and killing a police officer. These coincidences make Wes Moore wonder how he had evaded the destiny of the other Wes Moore, even though their background was very identical. In a way, the author narrates an “It could have been me” situation.

This interesting introduction would have perhaps prepared the reader for an interesting read, however, Moore opts to examine his life in parallel with that of the other Wes Moore in an attempt to establish where, and most significantly, why, there lives ended up so differently. This comparison makes the book an important read as it brings up a very critical question: What makes many young men, especially black, poor young men from single parent families, take up drug trade as a source of livelihood while knowing the risk that comes with it.

Going through the pages, it is evident that Moore does not have an answer to that question, he writes, “What made the difference?…The truth is that I don’t know” (Moore, pp. 76). He can only point out to the similarity to the background of the two men, and leaves the final decision to the reader.

The Source of all the Differences

Although he does not categorically state it, it is evident from Moore’s account of the two lives that the main point of divergence between him and the second Moore is in the way they were brought up by their mothers, and their mother’s own lives. Moore’s mother was brought up by college-educated parents , and she worked hard to create her own success and that of her family.

She moved several times in the struggle to find suitable place where her children would grow up in some degree of comfort, and she worked in many jobs so that her children would have decent education. When she realizes that Moore is on the brink of joining the criminal lifestyle, she sacrifices emotionally and economically and enrolls him in a military school.

In short, she simply refused to yield to the harsh conditions that often encircled them. On the contrary, the second Wes Moore’s mother attempted to fight off the harsh conditions and temptations, but ultimately gave up the struggle. She often leaves Moore behind as she goes to night outs. She quits college after losing her scholarship. Differences at home are squared with beatings. Moore’s older brother gets into the drug business, and soon all three of them are in it: mother and her two sons.

A Similar Background?

Moore’s argument that he had a similar background with the other Moore is simply unbelievable, and is plainly evident from the first chapter, where we observe the cast differences between in their upbringing. It is easy to understand why the two lives ended up very differently- the Johns Hopkins graduate was born into a loving, closely-knit family with two college-educated parents.

Although his father dies while he was young, the family remained intact and he received immense emotional and financial support from a number of relatives. This is in deep contrast with the second Wes Moore, who is born to a single mother and whose father does not care of him at all.

The two Moores are simply worlds apart but the author does not acknowledge this, maybe he does not comprehend this. Although he admits that having an adult who is invested in your welfare is vital to a child’s healthy development, he does not relate this to his own upbringing and that the second Moore. He had a supportive mother uncle, grandfather and a strong-willed mother while the other Moore was left unattended by his mother from age 8 while his older brother engaged led a criminal lifestyle.

Biased Presentation

Coming to the end of the book, The Other Wes Moore looks more like a vanity project for the author. The segments on his own life receive more coverage at the expense of that of the second Moore. In the epilogue, Moore dedicates several pages just listing his achievements in life- these are not related to the main topic of the book (why the two men’s lives ended up so differently), neither are they evaluated in any way to increase the readers understanding of the book’s theme- it is simply a listing of the things he has done or accomplished.

The author writes that he “searched for ways to fill that hole, sometimes in places I shouldn’t have looked. I made some tremendous mistakes along the way” (Moore, pp. 168), however, the readers never gets to know of those mistakes while the second Moore’s mistakes are laid bare.

The book also seems to give the author a platform to prove his poor background. He seems frantic to attest to his poor and disadvantaged upbringing- that is contrasted by the fact that he and his brothers attended an expensive private school. This is misleading. His claim that they had run-ins with the law ignores the type and severity of the offenses: the author was scolded by a police officer for spraying a building while the second Moore was arrested for intimidating another child with a knife.

The Other Wes Moore exposes the effect of fatherlessness in the upbringing and fate of children. Both men lost their fathers and were brought up by their mothers in single families, this background greatly affected their future life: one ends up as a university graduate and a Rhodes Scholar while the second is charged with the murder of a policeman.

Although the author tries to argue that they had a similar background, this assertion is misleading: the two men’s early lives were worlds apart. The author also fails in his attempts to prove his poor and disadvantaged background, which is negated by several factors that he seems to ignore. Rather than give the topic a fair outlook, his writing appears biased, focusing on his own strengths and the second Moore’s weaknesses.

Moore, Wes. One Name, Two Fates. 2011. Web. Web.

Moore, Wes. The Other Wes Moore . NY: Spiegel and Grau, 2010

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IvyPanda. (2018, October 11). The Other Wes Moore. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-other-wes-moore/

"The Other Wes Moore." IvyPanda , 11 Oct. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/the-other-wes-moore/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'The Other Wes Moore'. 11 October.

IvyPanda . 2018. "The Other Wes Moore." October 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-other-wes-moore/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Other Wes Moore." October 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-other-wes-moore/.

Bibliography

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Essays on The Other Wes Moore

Overview of "the other wes moore", writing tips for "the other wes moore" essay.

• Start with a strong thesis statement: Your thesis statement should be clear and concise, and provide a roadmap for your essay. It should also reflect the main argument or point you're trying to make.
• Use evidence to support your arguments: Use specific examples from the book to support your arguments. This can include quotes, anecdotes, or examples of how certain events in the book illustrate the point you're making.
• Analyze themes and symbols: "The Other Wes Moore" is rich with themes and symbols, including family, education, identity, and choices. Analyze these themes and symbols in your essay to deepen your analysis.
• Consider the book's structure and writing style: "The Other Wes Moore" is structured in a non-linear fashion, with the narrative jumping back and forth between the two Wes Moores' lives. Consider how the book's structure and writing style contribute to its themes and message.
• Edit and proofread carefully: As with any essay, editing and proofreading are crucial to ensure that your essay is polished and error-free. Take the time to carefully review your essay for spelling and grammar errors, and make sure that your arguments are clear and well-supported.

Essay on "The Other Wes Moore": choose a topic

• The role of family in shaping our future: Analyze the role that family played in the lives of both Wes Moores. How did their family situations impact their choices and opportunities?
• The impact of education on breaking the cycle of poverty: Explore how education played a role in the success of one Wes Moore and the downfall of the other. What role do you think education plays in breaking the cycle of poverty?
• The theme of identity in "The Other Wes Moore": Analyze how the theme of identity is explored in the book. How do the two Wes Moores' identities shape their choices and opportunities?
• The impact of environment on our lives: Consider how the environment we grow up in can impact our future. How did the environment in Baltimore impact the lives of both Wes Moores?
• The power of choices: Analyze the role that choices played in the lives of both Wes Moores. How did their choices impact their futures, and what can we learn from their stories?

Final Words

Prompt examples for "the other wes moore" essays, fate vs. choice.

Discuss the theme of fate vs. choice in the book. How do the life trajectories of the two Wes Moores illustrate the impact of personal choices and external circumstances on one's life? Explore the role of individual agency in their stories.

Family and Influence

Analyze the influence of family and upbringing on the two Wes Moores. How do their family backgrounds, relationships with parents, and support systems shape their paths in life? Compare and contrast the role of family in their narratives.

Education and Opportunities

Examine the importance of education and access to opportunities in the book. How do the educational experiences of the two Wes Moores differ, and how do these experiences impact their futures? Discuss the role of mentors and educators.

Community and Peer Influence

Discuss the influence of community and peer relationships on the two Wes Moores. How do their interactions with friends and peers contribute to their choices and behaviors? Explore the concept of positive and negative peer pressure.

Crime and Redemption

Analyze the themes of crime and redemption in the book. How do both Wes Moores navigate involvement in criminal activities, and what factors contribute to their decisions? Discuss the paths they take toward redemption and personal growth.

Social Inequality and Systemic Issues

Explore the themes of social inequality and systemic issues in the book. How do the stories of the two Wes Moores highlight disparities in the criminal justice system, education, and economic opportunities? Discuss the broader societal implications.

The Other Wes Moore: Family Influences

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The Impact of Childhood on Adult Life in The Other Wes Moore

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The Other Wes Moore

by Wes Moore

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The themes of this book include the factors that help or hinder African American boys' upbringings . The author discusses the factors in his upbringing, including the role of his mother and grandparents and the schools he attended, in helping him prosper, while he examines the alternate path that the other Wes Moore took, towards teenage parenthood and eventual incarceration. 

Racism is certainly a theme in the book. The author looks at the ways in which the police patrol African American neighborhoods with a sense of antagonism and the effects of racism in his schooling at an elite private school, where he did not feel a sense of belonging but only alienation.

Another theme is absent fathers . The author's father died when the author was very young, and he was raised by his mother and grandparents. His uncle and grandfather were critical male role models for him that helped him in his sometimes difficult path to adulthood. The father of the other Wes Moore had little to do with his son, and Wes was largely raised by his older brother, Tony. The other Wes Moore became a father at a very young age, perhaps in part because he didn't realize what the role of a father was.

Cite this page as follows:

Bruce, Olen. "The Other Wes Moore - Themes." eNotes Publishing, edited by eNotes Editorial, eNotes.com, Inc., 2 Sep. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/the-other-wes-moore/themes#themes-themes-787028>

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One of the main themes of The Other Wes Moore is how much chance comes into play in determining one's fate. The two Wes Moores grew up in much the same way; they both lived in crime-ridden neighborhoods and had difficult childhoods and got into trouble with the police and in school. Yet, one ended up a Rhodes Scholar and one ended up a prisoner. As the author Wes Moore writes:

"The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine. The tragedy is that my story could have been his.”

Another theme is that it is possible to escape from this cycle of poverty and despair, but it cannot be done alone; often it is necessary to enlist the help of a mentor. The author himself went to military school as a youth and he credits the guidance and counsel he received from his mentors with helping him to stay on the right path.

We also learn that the prisoner Wes Moore has undergone a sort of metamorphosis during his time in prison, and now practices Islam. He embraces the writer Wes Moore's decision to write the book, and hopes that by telling his story, other young people will not make the same mistake he did.

Mead, Pamela. "The Other Wes Moore - Themes." eNotes Publishing, edited by eNotes Editorial, eNotes.com, Inc., 2 Sep. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/the-other-wes-moore/themes#themes-themes-838966>

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One of the themes of the book is the importance of the choices that we make and the impact they have on ourselves and others. Although Wes Moore is unsparing in his depiction of the racism and lack of opportunity which hold back so many young African American men, he doesn't flinch from showing us the consequences of the bad choices they often make and how they compound the wider social problems.

At no point in the book does the author Wes Moore attempt to excuse his namesake from what he's done. He simply wants to understand the social, economic, and cultural factors that have helped create an environment in which bad choices are more likely to be made. The other Wes Moore may not have chosen to grow up in a poverty-stricken Baltimore ghetto, but he did choose to get involved in criminal activity, and he did choose to participate in the murder of a police officer. Poverty, racism, and lack of opportunity may severely restrict an individual's choices, but they do not remove them altogether, as Wes Moore makes abundantly clear in the telling of his namesake's story.

Morrison, David. "The Other Wes Moore - Themes." eNotes Publishing, edited by eNotes Editorial, eNotes.com, Inc., 2 Sep. 2024 <https://www.enotes.com/topics/the-other-wes-moore/themes#themes-themes-837877>

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The Other Wes Moore

63 pages • 2 hours read

The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction

Part 1, Chapter 1

Part 1, Chapter 2

Part 1, Chapter 3

Part 2, Chapter 4

Part 2, Chapter 5

Part 2, Chapter 6

Part 3, Chapter 7

Part 3, Chapter 8

Key Figures

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

The Role Mentors Play in Young Lives

The author struggles to answer why he and Wes led such different lives. However, he does believe that if there is one thing that sets them apart, it was the people in their lives. Moore credits his community—his mother, his grandmother, his peers and chain of command at Valley Forge, and so on—with providing the support, structure, and encouragement that enabled him to make better choices, hold himself accountable for those choices, and discover new opportunities. He argues that these mentors, “who kept pushing [him] to see more than what was directly in front of [him]” (179), made all the difference in his life. Even the decisions he initially resented, like the forced relocation to military school, were made because of his family’s belief in a successful future for him.

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By Wes Moore

Discovering Wes Moore

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The Other Wes Moore - Student Reader Guide: Theme 3: Decision Making

• The Other Wes Moore
• Before Reading
• Setting the Stage
• Theme 1: Identity
• Theme 2: Personal Values
• Theme 3: Decision Making
• Theme 4: Loss, Faith and Redemption
• Theme 5: Peer, Parent, and Community Support
• Theme 6: Lessons and Goals

Worksheets & Support Materials

• Decision Chart

Bad decisions...

Decision making.

Each day, we all make a series of decisions that determine the ways in which we live our lives. These can include small decisions such as what to wear and what to eat for breakfast or involve larger daily decisions such as the decision to go to school or work or the decision to complete a project or assignments on time.

In “The Other Wes Moore,” we gain insight into to lives of several people and we learn about the different decisions they each make. Some of these decisions have positive consequences and others have negative ones. Additionally, we see examples of long and short term decision making by the different individuals portrayed in the book.

What do you think?

Name a few decisions that you have made today. Provide an example of a “short term” decision. Provide an example of a “long term” decision. What short term and long term consequences followed?

What are the decisions a person would need to make if they wanted to go to college? Polk State College? The University of Wyoming? Princeton? Spellman? Oxford? Peking University?

What is meant by the saying, “One bad decision often leads to another bad decision”? Provide an example that illustrates your response. Do you think this is always true? Can you “undo” a bad decision?

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• Next: Theme 4: Loss, Faith and Redemption >>
• Last Updated: Jan 11, 2024 9:06 AM
• URL: https://libguides.polk.edu/theotherwesmoore

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Class Handouts & Resources

• The Other Wes Moore : Antic ipation Guide : Use this handout to think about thematic statements the book will present.
• Understanding Wes Moore : Use this handout to record details you learn about each Wes Moore.
• Vocabulary: Wes Moore Part 1
• ​ Wes Moore Chapter 1: Topics for Discu ssion : Use this handout to discuss and answer the four discussion questions for ch. 1.
• Resume Worksheet for High School Students: Use this handout to form your high school resume. 
• Vocabulary: Wes Moore Part 2

What the Mothers Have to Say

Raising Wes Moore Video Joy's son Wes Moore works on Wall Street. Mary's son Wes Moore will spend the rest of his life in prison. Mothers reflect on their parenting decisions.

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Wes Moore made many faulty decisions throughout his childhood. The people around someone puts an outcome on one’s entire life. Wes as a kid was very obedient, but he grew up in many criminal oriented neighborhoods. His father left his family when he was young. Wes grew up around his mom who did drugs and friends who influenced him to make his faulty decisions.…

The Other Wes Moore Compare And Contrast Essay

In The Other Wes Moore two boys shared the same name, lived in single parent homes, lost their fathers and only lived a few blocks away from each other in Baltimore. Despite these similarities, they made very different choices, which impacted their life outcomes. The choices made by Wes 1 and Wes 2in the book The Other Wes Moore impacted their life outcomes. Wes 1 and Wes 2 made many similar choices such as selling drugs, slacking in school and being involved in criminal activity. The major difference between them was the time of their turning point. Wes 1 realized much later, but it wasn’t until after one of his choices resulted in a life sentencing in prison. Wes 2 realized when his mother sent him to a military school to try and get him in the right direction. This was very hard for Wes 2 he did all he could to leave until he made the decision to stay in which benefited him in the long run.…

The Other Wes Moore One Name Two Fates

The book "The Wes Moore", tells "the story of two boys living in Baltimore" who shares a similar life history within the "same black community", in addition to having identical names (Moore & Smiley, 2010). Written by Wes Moore and Tavis Smiley, it recounts the real life stories of the two "Wes Moores", the different journeys and destinies of their life. One Wes Moore ends up as a "phi beta kappa graduate of the John Hopkins University", a "white house fellow", an "army officer" and as the co-author of the book (Sragow, 2010). The "other Wes Moore" ends up as a thief, drug dealer and "a convicted killer"; a sharp difference in comparison to the life of the "lucky" Wes Moore (Moore & Smiley, 2010). As can be seen in the book, it is not luck that determines their different fates in life, but rather a number of factors that could also ensure other African Americans succeed as opposed to failing in life (Moore & Smiley, 2010).…

A Personal Response To Wes Moore

There are many issues that have led to the outcome in your life, from an absent father, instability in your living situations, your brother being influential, yet participating in negative activity, and your mother’s lack of involvement. When you sum all of these issues up the main issue that stands out is the lack of support and mentoring that is needed to foster a child’s development positively in a social environment.…

Adversity In The Other Wes Moore

When faced with adversity, some people prevail while others fold. This is evident in the novel The Other Wes Moore with the contrast of the two Wes’s. The author Wes deals with adversity far better than the other Wes. Factors like the people around the person and a person’s support system can be the largest factor of how a person deals with adversity.…

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Reflections on  The Other Wes Moore

I recently finished reading The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates which is Messiah College’s common text for incoming Freshman. As you can guess, the book is a true story about two people each named Wes Moore. In this case, they both grew up in the same Baltimore neighborhood. The book proceeds to follow both Wes Moore’s from childhood towards manhood. Each are caught up in a maze of obstacles and challenges throughout their early lives. Each make decisions that had lasting consequences on their lives. At one point in the book we are reminded that sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between a second chance and a last chance. Such rings true in this book as your journey along and see one Wes Moore become a world travelled Rhode Scholar while the other Wes Moore’s fate ultimately is a life sentence in prison with no chance of parole.

This book is not preachy at all while telling its story (until the end). It manages to shine a light on some of the systemic challenges that inner cities of most large cities in the United States face while also struggling with questions around choices and personal responsibility. On this front, I did think that the books social analysis was a bit light. Also it had a subtle yet consistent theme of taking control of one’s own destiny. Personal and social responsibility are themes that are present in this work. If I were to give this book to anyone, it would be for young black boys and navigating the obstacles and injustices of our inner cities while also needing to expand their worlds and their visions of what is possible if they can escape the traps and obstacles in the way. The truth is that many young people growing up in under-resourced and historically oppressed neighborhoods carry the weight of responsibility and consequences way beyond the average American adolescent. Such a book might help them realize how fragile their life is, and yet give them some sense that they can struggle towards something better.

To be honest, I would not have assigned this as the common text at Messiah College (but obviously it was not my decision). I think the book is a fine choice overall, but because the book ends on a stronger note in relation to personal responsibility, it seems like it is possible that it will have our mostly white conservative evangelical students walking away with the same framework that they began with. It will require meaningful critical reflection and discussion of the book's entire themes in the classroom to navigate students towards a more complicated understanding of race, poverty, and inner-city neighborhoods. I do not assume that all students will process all of that on their own. Overall, though, it was a moving book that certainly had me reflecting on the fragility of my own journey, and the many ways it could have continued down a very different path than where I find myself today. Hopefully such a book would open us up to our shared humanity and make us less likely to use one dimensional categories like “thugs,” and “those people” to define other people. We would all be more compassionate if we identified more deeply with those whose journeys have taken hard and painful turns. May that be the case for my students as we discuss the book next week. 

Drew G. I. Hart

Drew G. I. Hart is an author and professor in theology and ethics. His blog Taking Jesus Seriously is hosted by the Century.

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The Other Wes Moore Themes

By wes moore.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by Timothy Sexton

As the title suggests, a dominant theme running through the story is that of identity. The title also elliptically suggests this theme will be explored through both the personal and collective. The story asserts quite strongly that identity is not synonymous with name; one’s individual identity is the result of a collective engagement with family, friends, where one lives, what one does for fun and work and, of course, how the forces of the state view you. The two men who share the name Wes Moore also share growing up in Baltimore which, by standard definitions, would make being a Baltimorean part of their identities. And yet as identical as their names are, their identities as a Baltimorean could not be more opposite.

Brotherhood

Brotherhood is a concept that expands beyond the limitations of the traditional definition. The theme of brotherhood is not to suggest specifically male bonding or the camaraderie of those facing the exact same challenges. In this instance, brotherhood means those whom one chooses to be around, be influenced by, learn from, network with and look to as a mean of support. Brotherhood in the limited definition also generally conveys a positive influence, but here both men named Wes Moore can point to a brotherhood that guided their decisions and impacted their thinking. For the author, this brotherhood was instrumental in avoiding the always present potential of heading down a bad path. The other Wes Moore winds up serving life in prison directly as a consequence of brotherhood incapable of positive impact.

Expectations as Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

The themes of identity and brotherhood come together in the form of the story’s other prevailing theme which the author explicitly identifies about midway through: “The expectations that others place on us form our expectations of ourselves.” For the other Wes Moore, this concept is formulated as a negative aspect: if the expectations others have of you is that you will wind up in jail, then eventually you will probably wind up in jail. For Wes Moore, the author, this negative aspect bears the fruit of an obvious solution that escapes the other Wes: if your brotherhood expects you to wind up in jail, it’s time to look for a different brotherhood. The author recognizes that revolving door cycle of a social system that knows only poverty, crime, discrimination and limited prospects stimulates a despondent pessimism that eventually generates into a cultural nihilism, but steadfastly maintains that just as low expectations trend toward a self-fulfilling prophecy, so do high expectations.

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The Other Wes Moore Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Other Wes Moore is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Joy's first husband, Bill, is described as unreliable. Why?

From the text:

As the love haze wore off, Joy began to see that the same qualities that had made Bill so attractive as a college romance— his free and rebellious spirit, his nearly paralyzing contempt for “the Man” — made him a completely...

Figurative language example in Chapter 8

“You committed an act like something out of the Wild West, and you didn’t even realize how outrageous it was,” the judge said. “That makes you a very dangerous person.” pg. 157

How does the imagery to the word “gasping”, from author Wes, impact the tone of the passage?

I'm sorry, what passage are you referring to?

Study Guide for The Other Wes Moore

The Other Wes Moore study guide contains a biography of Wes Moore, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

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Read the 2006 application

Applying for a White House fellowship in 2006, Wes Moore, then a 27-year-old Army veteran, wrote that he had been awarded “the Bronze Star Medal.”

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CANDIDATE SUMMARY DATA 2006-2007 White House Fellowships WESTLEY W. MOORE 27 Pasadena, Maryland Oxford University EDUCATION: DPhil Candidate 2006 MLitt 2003 Oxford University BA 2001 Johns Hopkins University AA 1998 Valley Forge Military College CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: Director of Information Operations: 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Afghanistan) Responsible for organizing the accurate and balanced flow of information throughout Eastern Afghanistan, which includes 11 provinces, 8 provincial reconstruction teams, 5,000 soldiers, and a land base the size of Florida. My team contains assets that include Psychological Operations, Public Affairs, Civil Affairs, Combat Camera and Afghan Public Relations Officers. SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO PROFESSION: Spearheading US Plan for Afghan Reconciliation Program I volunteered to serve in Afghanistan with the elite 82nd Airborne Division as the Director of Information Operations in June 2005. I led a team of Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Afghans in one of the most successful military and diplomatic initiative: in Operation Enduring Freedom to quell the insurgency in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. Program Tahkim-E-Suhl (PTS), is an Afghan campaign where insurgents can put down their arms and reconcile with their newly formed government. Before arriving, only 27 former insurgents had joined PTS. Since taking over, more than 480 others have followed suit. My team is helping reunite this fractured country and proving that the use of force alone is insufficient to achieve victory on a complex battlefield. GNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY: Founder of STAND! (A non-profit supporting youth offenders) I recognized Reggie Reynolds' arrogant smirk. It was the same false bravado I brandished a decade earlier after being picked up for vandalizing an apartment building in the Bronx. While at Johns Hopkins, I met this pre-teen Baltimorean waiting for his juvenile court hearing. Most people had written Reggie off-but what I saw was an opportunity to give Reggie and others like him my time now, so that the justice system would not have to give them their time later. I founded STAND!, an organization which mentors, tutors, and advocates for juvenile offenders. Since its inception, STAND! has expanded to New York, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia and paired over 200 young people with mentors. MEMORANDUM TO THE PRESIDENT: Counter-Recidivism Pilot Program Annually, 650,000 inmates are released from prison. Seventy percent will be rearrested within three years. The following recommendations provide inmates economic and experiential preparation for release: 1) Establish a public/private partnership to create private sector employment opportunities for soon-to-be-released inmates, and 2) Provide working inmates with federally-matched Individual Development Accounts (IDAS). This offers skill-building and earned asset-generating opportunities for selected inmates who will soon leave prison, as well as create a potential employee pool for a diverse cohor of businesses. Recidivism costs represent 40% of the $170 billion to maintain our federal criminal justice system. Under this initiative, participating businesses would cover training and placement costs; hence the Federal investment would be limited to staff and the Federally-matched IDAS. This would save billions of dollars and an immeasurable amount in societal costs. OTHER NOTABLE SKILLS: ■ Authored four articles and was featured in two books on the threat of radical Islam in Latin America Member of a Debt Capital Markets group responsible for the $6.26 Billion Paris Club deal between Germany and Russia As a Paratrooper, I initiated first-ever university educational partnership between an American and Afghan University Currently sit on six different charitable and business boards, to include the Maryland Chapter of the March of Dimes Played intercollegiate basketball and football and was named to the Maryland College Football Hall of Fame Traveled extensively through 42 countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe

BIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVE 2006-2007 White House Fellowship WESTLEY W. MOORE My father, a popular radio and television personality in Maryland, died needlessly at the age of 32. Despite repeated attempts to explain his symptoms, ignorance about his illness led to the misdiagnosis of a rare form of acute epiglottitis. He was denied proper treatment, released prematurely from the hospital, and collapsed dead in front of me hours later. In just a moment, my mother became a widowed guardian of three, and I became fatherless at 3 years old. Soon after, I fell into a cycle of academic and disciplinary troubles, which coincided with being detained by the law and being placed on probation by my elementary school by the age of 12. Disappointed but not dissuaded, my mother found a way to raise money, by prevailing upon family and friends, and sent me to Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania for my eighth grade year. Despite initial difficulties, I excelled academically, tactically and athletically. I achieved excellence for the first time in my life and I vividly remember feeling that I never wanted to turn back. After receiving academic and athletic scholarships, I was able to continue my education and graduated from Valley Forge four years later. After turning down numerous college basketball scholarships, I joined the ROTC program at Valley Forge Military College. By the end of my sophomore year, I graduated with an Associates Degree with honors and was commissioned as an Army Officer. At 19 years old, I was the youngest U.S. Army Officer in 1998. I then transferred to the Johns Hopkins University and immediately became active in the student body. In addition to playing varsity basketball and football, I became engaged in the March of Dimes and other volunteer activities on campus. I also continued my engagement with the Baltimore area, and began to work closely with the city's Public Defender's office. The indelible experiences in that office, coupled with my own personal history led me to create Students Taking A New Direction (STAND!), which mentors, tutors, and advocates for first and second time juvenile offenders. This program started off with only three mentors, but within two years became the most popular volunteer program on the college campus. STAND! continues to grow to this day. I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Phi Beta Kappa degree in international relations and economics and received a Rhodes Scholarship. I matriculated to Oxford University and began to study international relations. As a Rhodes Scholar, I took advantage of the opportunity and examined radical Islam in the Western Hemisphere. I completed my degree with honors and my research has led me to be touted as one of the foremost experts on the threat. Following Oxford, I accepted a job as an investment banking associate with Deutsche Bank. I began working for their prestigious Global Markets Division and focused on the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEEMEA) region. Despite not having an MBA, I was soon appointed the youngest Associate project lead in the entire division. After two successful and promising years in investment banking, I accepted an opportunity to serve in the Global War on Terrorism with the famed 1st Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division. As the Director of Information Operations, I promoted the positive occurrences, contextualized the inflammatory images, corrected the false reports, and helped shape the face of the war. The first parliamentary elections in the nation's history and the emergence of the Afghan Reconciliation Program are some of the events where I have crafted coverage strategies. I could not be any more proud of what my team and I accomplished in Afghanistan and the lasting legacy we have forged. For my work, the 82nd Airborne Division have awarded me the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge. A local anchorwoman who worked closely with my father once told me, "I am just sorry your father couldn't finish the work he was put on this earth to do." I am determined to demonstrate that in me, he not only had a son who carries his name, but his passions, principles, and commitment to public service as well.

WESTLEY WATENDE OMARI MOORE CAPTAIN, UNITED STATES ARMY (MILITARY POLICE- AIRBORNE) EDUCATION OXFORD UNIVERSITY, Oxford, England June 2004 Rhodes Scholarship Recipient 2001 Masters (MLitt.) in International Relations, Doctoral (DPhil) Candidate *Thesis entitled "The Rise and Ramifications of Radical Islam in the Western Hemisphere" JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, Baltimore, Maryland May 2001 Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Economics Graduated Phi Beta Kappa / Magna Cum Laude VALLEY FORGE MILITARY COLLEGE, Wayne, Pennsylvania May 1998 Associates Degree in Liberal Arts Graduated Phi Theta Kappa / Cum Laude WORK EXPERIENCE March 2004 - Present DEUTSCHE BANK GLOBAL MARKETS, Investment Banker (Associate) London, UK ■ Member of the Debt Capital Markets (DCM) CEMA team (Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa), responsible for one-fourth of all DCM profits in 2004. Our focus entails originating and structuring bond and debt deals for both large corporates and sovereigns. Worked on the Aries deal that released $6.25 Billion Paris Club Debt between Russia and Germany. At the time, it was the largest Paris Club deal of its type ever. Recently, I added Latin America to my portfolio and have spearheaded energy and efforts into emerging nations such as Ecuador, Brazil and Venzuela. July 2005 April 2005 DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION OPERATIONS, 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Brigade Khowst, Afghanistan Received a "By-Name Request" by the 82nd Airborne to manage the Information Operations cell which was responsible for the information dissemination and collection of 5000 paratroopers in 8 provinces in Afghanistan. Was a vanguard and main point person for the Afghan Public Relations Officer post, which recruited and hired Afghans to support their own public relations operations. Oversaw a staff of 25 people, to include 11 Afghans, and was responsible for Brigade Assets such as Psychological Operations, Electronic Warfare, and Civil Affairs.

June-September 2003 MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, Summer Associate New York, N.Y. ■ Worked with the Asset Management Division, specializing in Separately Managed Accounts (SMA's) with an excess of $31 billion in total assets. Arranged exploration plan for energy commodity investments in Latin America and Africa. Prepared competitive analysis reports and tracked the development of the SMA Market. May October 2002 WHITE HOUSE INTERNSHIP, Office of Homeland Security Washington DC ■ Assisted in creating the first National Strategy for the Office of Homeland Security. Prepared meeting points for Secretary Tom Ridge to brief foreign leaders and dignitaries. Responsible for the editing, background fact-checking, and one of the chapters of the first-ever proposed budget for the Department of Homeland Security, which consolidated 23 federal agencies, with a budget of more than $31 billion. 1999- Present STAND! PROGRAM: STUDENTS TAKING A NEW DIRECTION, Founder and Executive Chair Baltimore, MD Initiated a mentoring program working with city youth involved in the justice system. Program has now expanded to include Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Collaborated numerous resources to include Johns Hopkins, the Office of the Public Defender, the Mayor's Office and Private Foundations. VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES 2005-Present 2003-Present 2002-Present 2000-Present 1999-Present Soldiers to Scholars Foundation -- Board of Directors Emerging Leaders Council -- Board of Directors National Foundation of Teaching Entrepreneurship - Advisor and Speaker Maryland Chapter of the March of Dimes -- Board of Directors Valley Forge Military Academy and College --Board of Directors AWARDS March 2005 November 2004 March 2001 Top Leadership Award, Military Police Officer Basic Course - Selected out of 45 Military Police Officers for leadership excellence. The award recipient is selected by peers. Salzburg Seminar Fellow - Invited to present in a week long seminar in Salzburg, Austria. The focus of the seminar was the emergence of East Asia, primarily in the economic and security sphere. Maryland College Football Hall of Fame Award - Awarded by the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the Maryland College Football Hall of Fame for athletic and academic excellence. SKILLS -Conversational Spanish, Arabic, and Xhosa (Traditional Southern African Language) -Extensive travel that includes 48 countries within five continents *References and Published Works Available upon Request

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