We must invest our hope in a future worth having

Responding to several articles in the Boulder Camera about the recent flooding disaster in Texas, I am wondering what is the role of hope in a political climate of blame, hostility and outrage? Political and catastrophic disasters threaten the survival of the whole community, without exception, and require a comprehensive response. Leaders play a critical role in responding to such disasters so that communities can respond with compassion and strength to the destructive forces by which they are gripped.

After experiencing the impacts of the Marshall Fire, I affirm our community’s outpouring of love and care as being essential. As witnesses to forgiveness, healing and hope, communities can come together and do the hard work of restructuring lives around our highest values rather than holding grudges from past injuries and accepting what seems to be a new normal. Forms of engagement can be developed in communities so that we become energized by the goodness and compassion we find in one another rather than being held by the unfortunate circumstances mediated by past events.

In a democracy and a diverse world, communities become the sites of major challenges, questions and conflicts. Community leaders can best respond to these disparities by being an integral part of the planning process and helping the community negotiate out of mutual respect for differences. Leaders, please continue to stand up!

Let’s not lose sight of re-investing our hopes into a future worth having. Let’s work toward the day when our hopes for all in a flourishing human community cover the earth. Hope is an expectation that there is a meaningful future for us and that together we can contribute positively to bringing it about.

— Shawn Fawson, Louisville

City is protecting taxpayers from endless legal feud

A recent letter writer accuses Boulder City of engaging in anti-democratic behavior in a July 10 letter to the editor, “Our City tries to suppress legal recourse.” In reality, it feels as if the Save South Boulder group is anti-democratic. Boulder voters have twice approved the city’s plan to annex CU South and implement flood mitigation. But Save South Boulder refuses to accept this, and since they can’t demand a third vote, they have launched a frivolous lawsuit. I fully support the city’s decision to counter-sue for legal damages. This is not suppressing democracy. It’s protecting other Boulder taxpayers from having to fund an endless legal feud brought about by a particular interest group.

— Meg Tilton, Boulder

We should teach young people to be themselves

It has been said that “Successful people build each other up. They motivate, inspire and push each other. Unsuccessful people just hate, blame and complain.”

From day one, it was expected of me and my sister to engage in all kinds of sports for the fun of it and for recreation. The bottom line was that education was our prime direction in life. Anything different would not be possible.

In today’s world, it seems that sports tend to dominate the thinking of many young people and parents alike. In my day, there was no gambling allowed, especially for professional or amateur athletics. It seems as if everything has been turned upside down.

When I was an administrator at several universities, I was honored to work with several student-athletes who had athletic scholarships. These students told me that the coaches, especially, wanted the defensive players to really hit the opposing players harder than they thought necessary. For some of these students, it was extremely difficult. Education was their first priority and sports was their way of life paying for it.

It seems as if children today look up to influencers on Social Media instead of their parents. Joe Nichols has said, “What we need nowadays is more children that have goals other than being a sports figure or some kind of celebrity.” I feel that children need people around them to encourage them to be successful without the pressure of other people’s expectations. I tip my hat off to those parents, teachers and friends who encourage these young people to be themselves.

— Joseph La Camera, Boulder