African Americans in the News - Essay Example

The other Wes, however, is not so lucky and surrounded himself with addicts, sunk deeper and deeper into the drug trade, fathered many children and finally ends up behind bars. The story somehow connects to slavery since we are told of poor black neighborhoods which could have resulted due to the enslavement of the ancestors of the black community. Thus Blacks’ economic standards are usually lower than those of other races because they lack a firm and solid economic foundation, due to prolonged slavery of their forefathers.

As I read the story, I could not help imagining how a person’s determination can elevate one beyond his/her current circumstances and improve one’s chance at living a better and morally upright life. The main problem portrayed in the story is that of drugs, crime and negative influences in one’s life. Thus the problem of crime and drugs is well highlighted and can be attributed to the kind that the other Wes Moore lived. A possible solution to this is educating such neighborhoods on the dangers of drug and crime involvement as well as making sure that youths have got enough role models and institutions to keep them off the streets.