Vance vs. Coates (Opportunities)

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Hillbilly Elegy, by J.D. Vance, are two memoirs that present similarities all across the board but also show completely different perspectives. This flow in the same direction but also the misdirection from each other is something very unique about literature and especially these two memoirs. This idea of having a similar childhood background and their upbringings but having a different outlook on how they view the world and how they view others. There may be differences along their paths but one thing that engulfed their lives growing up was poverty and the opportunities presented. The topic of opportunities being available to them while being surrounded by an impoverished family or community is something they derive from experience but carry different outlooks from those experiences.

After reading these two books being part of an impoverished community gives you limited access to resources and opportunities to try and succeed, with that being said, the person at the end of the day has the choice whether or not to attempt to use those resources and try to be successful with the limited resources. Being apart of poverty creates a disadvantage or just a longer path to success.

Coates states “Schools did not reveal truths, they concealed them… I needed to master the streets, I felt there could be no escape for me, or honestly, anyone else” (Coates 27). This was Coates stating how the limited access to schools (resources) that provide a decent education just weren’t available. These schools in Baltimore specifically were hiding things which makes Coates feel the loss of trust. From Coates perspective, this immediately puts himself and others around him at a disadvantage without an educational system that provides current and future success. Without a doubt in today’s world those with limited educational resources are put at a disadvantage compared to with it.

Vance on the other hand states “If they ‘only had better access to jobs, other parts of their lives would improve as well.’ I once held this opinion myself… too many young men immune to hard work, carelessly tossing aside a good job… more troublingly, when it was all over, he thought something had been done to him. A feeling that you have little control over your life and a willingness to blame everyone but yourself” (Vance 5-7). Vance from the perspective of opportunities comes from a different angle compared to Coates. He comes more of what are you going to do with those opportunities you get?  Vance understands the limited opportunities as stated by Coates. They both experienced them first hand, but Vance is wrapped up in the use of opportunities. Vance views it from people having to go out and capture the opportunities themselves without feeling like the cards are stacked against you. Coates, I feel as if he is very wrapped up in the privilege associated with opportunities and how African Americans in the inner cities do not have as many opportunities due to the lack of privilege.

Both of these memoirs establish that yes there are limited opportunities present in impoverished communities. They both can agree that without a stable education or without a strong family structure those opportunities are obviously limited even more. Where these authors see differently is the outlook of these opportunities. Vance, throughout the book, had a mentality of you work with what you have, and you make the most of it by working hard even when the odds are stacked against you. Coates on the other hand doesn’t exactly make references similar to this, and he tends to push the blame on higher authorities and doesn’t talk about the resolutions or paths he or others could have taken with the opportunities presented to them. I’m not going to say Coates dwells on the topic, but he takes it very personal when speaking of privilege and the opportunities that come with it that it’s hard not to mention it or let it engulf you.

It crazy how the opposite sides of the political spectrum always find a way to split. After having a meeting point these sides always find polar ends from each other. Both authors had great insights into both the impoverished life and the opportunities within it, but both offered up great points socially, economically, politically etc. that really makes the reader question his/her values and why they stand for what they believe in. These types of books are something that challenge your values while also reinforcing your values by giving you multiple perspectives. In the end yes, I may lean towards the right but being able to read Coates views and change my take on it was huge. I understand people have to make the most of the opportunities and give it there all but there is not doubt that people facing poverty or challenging childhoods are starting well behind others and are at a disadvantage to gain the success they want.