Melody McLain Contemporary Literacy Blog

The other Wes Moore needed to tell his mother that he got Alicia pregnant. Have you ever had to give someone news that you knew would break their heart? How did you build up the courage? Wes is slowly growing fond of the quiet suburban neighborhood but still misses the speed and intensity of the city. One of the girls he meets on the school bus is Alicia. They quickly become close and two months later she discovers she is pregnant. Wes is in denial at first, shocked and confused. While teenage pregnancies are common in Baltimore, Wes is not happy and the idea of becoming a father. Alicia is confident that she can raise the baby in a two-parent household with stability to be different from what she and West did not have. Since Wes grew up without a father, he is anxious and uncertain that he will be a good one. “The idea of becoming a father depressed Wes, but he wasn’t sure why. He didn’t have to worry about feeling alone or like a pariah. Wes and Alicia’s situation was anything but ex...

The author explains that the other Wes Moore’s life is different because he made different decisions when it came to life choices. Have you ever made a decision that you believe could have altered your life path? The decisions we make significantly influence our life's outcome. Every choice, no matter how large or small, molds together and steers our lives in specific directions. The Other Wes Moore involves two children, both with the same name and same environment but drastically different because of their different decisions. They can either be direct consequences, such as following a specific career path or living somewhere that directly affects your lifestyle and health. There are also small, unchanging, choices that build up over time that lead to such as daily decisions about dieting and physical movement, and budgeting can affect someone long term. Each decision has different effects either opening doors and/or closing them. While the author Wes Moore is a Rhodes scholar, a...

Before watching this film I did not quite understand the question. We can be products of both our environment and expectations. They both matter. Support that comes from being in a specific environment is crucial for growing adolescence. Support in the home, and from the neighborhood with a proper education are crucial. Parents are their child’s first and best teacher. It’s not that they do not care about educating their children, it’s that they do not know. Although some think it may be common knowledge, it really is not because everyone has their own upbringing.  Everyone has different environments and expectations. Expectations are not born from nowhere, we have one’s we set for ourselves and ones set on us. They are born from what other people see in their own future and push to us. Expectations are externally and internally so important. The Other Wes Moore is about two kids with the same name, similar backgrounds, similar circumstances, that end up going in completely differe...

Is Higher Education Worth the Price? Yes. Depending on who you are. Higher education provides you with life skills, and creative problem-solving, and pushes you to expand your intellectual knowledge. You are sharpening a broad set of skills, which you will use to go further in your career. Though, college does not equate to success. Alternatives are useful and should be looked at if one does not know what they want to do with a degree. Going straight into the job market, going to a vocational or trade school, or getting an online degree are all different pathways from the standard 4-year university and most importantly, they work. You can make a living without a degree, it is not a requirement. People try college, realize it is not for them, and carry on.  What are your personal goals career-wise? What do you wish to accomplish? Can you accomplish it without a college degree? Are you financially in good standing to be able to attend higher education in the first place?  Accord...

The comparison between fast food and tobacco is something I have never heard of before, even though it is growing increasingly more common. Both heavily impact public health, using their targeted marketing strategies and lack of regulation to embed both into everyday culture. It is normal to have a cigarette and get McDonalds after. It is normal to hit your blue raspberry-flavored vape while door-dashing Taco Bell at 4am. It is normal to consume with no hesitancy. You know it is bad for you, you know you should stop, but you don't. It is all about convenience and reliability. You can rely on fast food and tobacco to always be there, it is not going anywhere. Both are forms of addictions and comparing the two can be seen as both advantageous and counterproductive. While stating facts is always beneficial, we need to understand the reasoning behind both addictions. There is always more to someone's story. Foods high in sugar, fat, and salt are addictive. People crave these foods,...

The answer to the question: "Is pop culture good for you?" can go any way one wants to argue it. We could argue that it is toxic as it perpetuates harmful stereotypes, sets unrealistic standards and expectations, and reinforces negative ideals. On the other side, pop culture creates a sense of community, and is a source of education, entertainment, and inspiration for those involved. It can provide young people with role models and set examples of positive behavior. Pop culture shapes our outlook, attitudes, and values within our lives. There is no clear answer as to whether pop culture is good for you, as we can see time and time again cases where it proves to be more of a hindrance than a help.  Christina Grimmie was an American singer and YouTuber who was shot and killed by a fan at the age of 22. She was murdered at her own concert in Orlando, Florida after getting a fan with open arms who decided to shoot her as his obsession had gone too far.        ...