payment page
Wes Watende Omari Moore is one of the book’s two protagonists and a foil to the other protagonist, Wes. A highly successful military leader and public servant, Moore is motivated, idealistic, and thoughtful. In his early life, Moore was far less driven than he is as an adult, and he is analytical as he reflects on his transformation from a rebellious, unmotivated kid into a disciplined, driven man. His natural curiosity compels him to find out more about Wes, who has the same name but a very different life. In his efforts to understand why their lives took such different paths, Moore adopts a position of neutrality and genuine interest. He does not demonize Wes, condescend to him, or excuse his behavior. Recognizing that they had similar disadvantaged beginnings, Moore maintains humility as he credits the mentors and positive influences in his own life for helping him achieve success. In retrospect, he understands that attending Valley Forge Military Academy had a tremendous impact in redirecting his life, but when he was a cadet, he worried that it was sheltering him too much from the outside world.
One of Moore’s greatest struggles as a child and young adult is a sense of feeling out of place. In the Bronx, he feels alienated from his peers in the neighborhood, who don’t fully accept him because he attends Riverdale, a private school. However, his privileged white Riverdale classmates don’t understand his life and background—an experience that ultimately influences his worldview and inspires him to help other disadvantaged youth. Although Moore is able to connect these disparate experiences in adulthood, his inability to do so as a boy makes him feel as though he doesn’t truly belong anywhere. Moore’s confusion and sense of dissonance fuel much of his worst behavior, as he either rebels or embarrasses himself in misguided attempts to fit in. A feeling of belonging is key to Moore’s transformation and growth, and it’s something he finally finds at Valley Forge. His initial experiences there are upsetting, because the strict discipline is unlike anything Moore has ever experienced, but he eventually responds positively to the school’s culture. This transformation paves the way for Moore to have even more experiences that help him find his place in the world, especially traveling abroad to South Africa and becoming an avid reader.
