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TOWM Chapters 7-8 epilogue & afterward

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     The most prominent theme of these sections is seeing the effects of an environment upon a person not being taught about what is right or wrong. There could be arguments about the other Wes Moore needing to make the right choices because no one forced him to make those decisions, but there is something missing about that conclusion. While the other Wes Moore could have made better decisions, he was never really given the opportunity to do so through his domestic life, environment, and the information that he has gotten.       This is similar to the situation from Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” where the environment and lack of support was the cause of him descending into a path of destruction.  While it does not justify his actions, it is important for someone in a child-state to get the support they need.  The only guidance that the other Wes Moore received was little to none that could have saved him.  He had fallen victim to his environmental pressures where they glamorized selli
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TOWM Chapter 4 -6

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                    The theme most prevalent in these chapters is one of hope and expectation along with the nature vs. nurture argument.  These chapters start to depict the stark contrast between the two Wes Moore's lives especially in what their environmental influences pushed them towards. A lot of influence comes from their roots and support systems they have in their cultivation.  This was especially shown with the guidance given to both of the boys during their adolescence.  Even though they grew up in similar neighborhoods, their lives from the beginning started to show distinctions starting off with their father figures.  While it was a common aspect for both boys not having their father figures, one Wes Moore’s father died being remembered as a good and gentle man while the other Wes Moore’s father simply left him with a bad example and neglect.  As the other Wes Moore stated in the beginning of the passage that their fathers were gone for different reasons, it has made a
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TOWM Intro-Chapter 3

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     The theme that stood out to me in these beginning chapters is one of perseverance through trial and tribulations.  This may seem interesting to point out when it is simply the beginning of the story, but the lives of those who came before the two Wes' were changed by the environment around them and pushed through them.  It gave them lessons and feelings that may be tough to deal with where healing or learning is not a linear state, but the intent to create change is still there.  This book shows the raw and real experiences of these two people and those involved in their lives. The first instance of perseverance is when we already know how the outcome of the two Wes' diverging their same path at some point, and they were able to tell their story through this book.  It is important to point out how Wes stated in the introduction, "It is my sincere hope that this book does not come across as self-congratulatory or self-exculpatory", because it depicts mistakes that
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Is Higher Education Worth the Price?

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     Higher education has been something seen as a way to go up the ladder of life with more financial opportunities, but it seems that now prices have been spiking up to an amount that is not sustainable for upcoming college students who cannot financially support themselves. Higher education is not worth the price. The documentary and especially the articles gave me greater insight with how college education should be reformed.  I had already thought that the educational system was flawed, but the articles and documentary had only confirmed my suspicions.     I really liked how we took notes on the topic using the 4 A's because it gave me an array of perspectives that I might have not probably considered if I were to do the other note taking methods.  The evidence that stood out to me was when I had heard from the "Ivory Tower" documentary that "Colleges have lost their way of who they are and what they are, they have turned into huge businesses". Upon that st
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What is important to know about Financial Literacy?

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      Financial literacy is a language that students should be able to comprehend, especially with today's society being so keen on having and making money.  Financial literacy should not just be for those who have a surplus of money, but also for people who are struggling with it or even just passing by in life.  It is important that the youth of today could learn the fundamentals of financial literacy and to add onto it as they get older.  According to the article "Money Matters", there has been a proposed plan where kindergarteners learn about counting money and currency, and later on in eighth grade go onto learning more about economics and finances.  This will allow them to be more knowledgeable in the financial world and will allow them to take on financial opportunities they would know have been able to recognize without the classes.  Financial literacy also teaches people about entrepreneurship, and as "Money Matters" mentions that people will "be a
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Is Fast Food a Personal or Government Responsibility?

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      When I had first seen this question, I had thought of the socioeconomic situations of Americans who do not have access to healthy food and were plagued with living paycheck to paycheck.  Before the debate, I had thought that obesity was a government responsibility and that it was easier to see the flaws of this being a personal responsibility. After our actual debate had occurred, I considered that the solution would have to be on both sides of the same coin. There should be a balance of government intervention along with the individual being able to take control of their own well-being.       I support the government intervening to the extent of improving the accessibility of resources for those who live in lower income areas.  For example, the government should give more resources in areas that have food deserts.  Nearly 39.5 million people live in low income areas and these said food deserts are where people have no access to healthy food markets.  They may provide more resour
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Is Pop Culture Good For You?

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   The subject of pop culture being good for everyone has been up in the air for a while since the emergence of the internet and technological networking systems. Since then, it has become an integral part of our lives to live in the modern world as a source of information or entertainment.  Just as the debate on whether or not it is good for you, it is really up to interpretation on the side of the consumer.  How they decide to consume content from social media is what determines whether or not it is good for them.  In my opinion, pop culture is only good for you if you are a skeptic about what is presented to you and to not blindly consume it. The article "Watching TV Makes You Smarter", by Steven Johnson brings up the idea that the media we consume in modern times that contributes to pop culture has evolved into more complex narratives.  He is suggesting that those who are consuming it are analyzing it and piecing it together; but while that may be true about television wi
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