History will recognize Beto O’Rourke, Stacey Abrams as pioneers: Letters to the Editor

El Paso Times
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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke greets supporters during election night on Nov. 8, 2022.

History will recognize O’Rourke, Abrams as pioneers

I lived in Georgia for over 10 years. Two of my children were born there. The oldest, born in Florida, spent much of her childhood and early teens there. We are talking the South, even in the 90s and early 2000s, where having Al Gore and John Kerry for president bumper stickers garnered the middle-finger.

Look at Georgia now, with two great senators of the people, one Jewish and one Black man. It’s still not where some would like, but it is a testament to democracy. What does this have to do with El Paso? Well, I believe individuals like Beto O’Rourke or Stacey Abrams, who may not be perfect or whose politics may not perfectly align with yours, are heroes and pioneers. They stake everything (money, reputation, privacy, family time and even health) in their true desire to make things better for their community, their state and humanity in general.

One must give men and women like that credit for their sacrifice and noble intentions. I truly believe history surely will recognize them for their pivotal mark in it. Beto, Stacy: ¡Salud!

Juana E Teixeira

West El Paso

Thank a family caregiver

In 2011, speaking before the Senate Special Committee on Aging, Former First Lady Rosalyn Carter said, "There are only four kinds of people in the world – those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver".

November is Family Caregiver Month to honor the nearly 53 million people who care for family, friends and neighbors. If you provide support such as errands, grocery shopping, wound care, medication management, cooking, cleaning, and personal care at home - you are a caregiver.This unsung, sometimes self-sacrificing workforce is estimated to contribute $470 billion in services every year. Family caregivers are the backbone of our country's home care. Without them, our country does not have the ability to care for our elders and persons with disabilities.

Let us give a thunderous thank you!

Davie Johnson

West El Paso

More:Carlsbad Caverns National Park brings back history-inspired Rock of Ages tour

Students advocate for victims

We are a group of students from Western New Mexico University that has volunteered for the last month with a local non-profit organization called Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS).

According to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network statistics, every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted. With more awareness we can get victims of sexual assault the resources and support they need. Over the past few months, we have advocated against sexual assault to our peers at our local college, posted informational flyers and hosted a donation.

An Instagram poll, with over 600 viewers, showed the majority did not know how SASS can help victims. We know that sexual assault can be uncomfortable and maybe a little embarrassing to talk about, but the more discussions we have about sexual assault prevention, the safer we will be.

Haylee Thurnherr, Jenna Peters, Lorenzo Orellano, Jaime Cabrera, Favour Ernest

Silver City, New Mexico

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: History will recognize O’Rourke, Abrams as pioneers: Letters to the Editor