Reassessing Coach McCartney’s legacy

As a CU alum (BA and MS), a native Coloradan, and a gay man, I was deeply saddened to learn that a statue of Coach Bill McCartney is planned for placement on the CU Boulder campus, the same campus on which I spent years in my academic pursuits.

Although I don’t deny Coach McCartney’s contributions to CU football, his public record — particularly his vocal opposition to LGBTQ+ rights — raises serious concerns about what values we choose to honor in our public spaces. In 1992, McCartney was a prominent supporter of Amendment 2, a ballot initiative that sought to prevent local governments in Colorado from recognizing or protecting LGBTQ+ rights. Though it passed at the time, the amendment was later struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court as unconstitutional. Installing a statue in his honor sends a most troubling message. It elevates one aspect of McCartney’s legacy while completely ignoring the harm caused by his rhetoric and activism, including his leadership of the Promise Keepers — an evangelical men’s ministry that promotes exclusionary views under the guise of faith and morality.

This isn’t about erasing history, it’s about acknowledging its full complexity. We can recognize McCartney’s role in CU’s athletic history while also being honest about the pain and trauma his advocacy inflicted on LGBTQ+ people and allies. Statues are not neutral — they are statements about who and what we choose to uplift.

I believe my alma mater can and should do better. Our public symbols should reflect the values of inclusion, dignity and unity that serve all members of our community. As a long-time and proud Buff, I urge the university to reconsider this decision and to lead with compassion, integrity, and a commitment to representing all of us.

— Neil Fishman, Boulder

Immigrants need help now more than ever

When I studied abroad in Spain, I saw a whole different way of life in every aspect. Here in Boulder, I see how immigrants are surprised by the U.S. way of life. Immigrants often come to the U.S. seeking opportunity without the necessary understanding of how different this country can be compared to every other country on Earth. In a time where being an immigrant is terrifying with visas being revoked and xenophobia on the rise, as a community, we need to step up when our politicians won’t.

According to the National Health Expenditure Accounts, Americans pay over $14,000 per person every year on health care, while many countries offer health care for close to $0. This fact alone is enough to cause major instability not only for immigrants but even U.S.-born citizens too. With the economic decline, we have been seeing and will continue to see mass lay-offs and work more difficult to find. Whatever the reasons may be for this, and whether we disagree or not, must be ignored when we have the ability to help people in need.

Many immigrants have given up just about everything for the opportunity to work, study and live in America. Boulder’s progressive and accepting culture needs to make an impact more than ever and provide better support for these immigrants in whatever form it takes. This could be workshops to better understand healthcare, personal finances and affording education. Organizations in Boulder, like the AMISTAD Immigrant Center and the RMIAN, both aim to aid immigrants and benefit from donations and volunteerism. There are infinite solutions that can help Boulder become more accepting towards immigrants, so it’s time to make a change now!

— Aaron Jacobs, Boulder

Does Medicaid really cost that much per person?

Today’s paper, May 15, states that up to 108,000 people could lose their medicaid insurance due to a proposed cut of $11 billion over 5 years being considered by the republican lead House of Representatives.

That, of course, is bad for the state and bad for the people who rely on Medicaid. However, that equates to an average of over $20,000 per person. Does it really cost that much? If so, I believe that our bureaucracy managing Medicare is bloated, inefficient and could do more with less.

— Charlie Hoffman, Boulder