Deion Sanders would make it all about himself. TCU doesn’t need him as head coach

No Deion Sanders at TCU

Please tell the powers that be at TCU, including LaDainian Tomlinson, that they shouldn’t hire Deion Sanders as head football coach. He would do nothing for Fort Worth. With Sanders, it’s all about him. He’s missed three of his 15 games as a head coach at Jackson State, just like when he was a player, electric in some parts of the game but unwilling to square up and make a tackle.

We need a real head coach who has been in that capacity or at least has been a coordinator long enough to see how to run a program, can put together a staff and recruit. We have already lost some really talented recruits, so let’s get a true professional to lead the next generation.

- Eddie Spotanski, Fort Worth

Yes, the deck is really stacked

Republicans are masters of confusion. Like magicians, they divert attention from what’s really going on to what they want you to see. The path from so-called “critical race theory” to parental rights in the classroom is nonsensical, but by using diversionary techniques, Republicans have again inflamed.

They can’t define critical race theory. They only want to produce a visceral reaction from their voters and an abundance of press coverage.

Simply put, the concept of structural racism in society argues against the belief that racism stops on the individual level. Like left-handers struggling in a world made for righties, marginalized groups face a world made for white people. Parents, as well as children, must acknowledge these systemic barriers.

- Barbara Chiarello, Austin

Texas needs to help caregivers

Nearly $25 billion in state revenue is “parked on the sidelines,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar says. Let’s use it to increase the pay rate for caregivers in Texas to $15 an hour.

Pay disparity is harmful in several ways. Individuals with disabilities are not receiving the Medicaid-funded support and service they need. They regress in their behaviors and eventually need more emergency care services. Families are exhausted. Caregivers have to take jobs away from their calling to care.

Remote caregiving needs be included in all service delivery options. Agencies must offer benefits and training to encourage long-term caregiving. The state needs a more proactive approach to encourage families to consider consumer-directed services to manage their care.

- Robin LeoGrande, Plano

The writer is president of the Community for Permanent Supported Housing, a North Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Let’s talk about ‘social agendas’

Gov. Greg Abbott declared that he will not tolerate “pornography or obscene content,” while other conservatives argue that “social agendas” need to be kept out of the educational system. (Nov. 11, 6A, “Abbott wants Texas agency to investigate porn in schools”)

Sex education should be accessible to all students. Most are going to be sexually active. Don’t complain about teen pregnancy if you don’t support education on how to prevent it.

A woman’s body is not pornographic. It’s not our social agenda that’s ruining our education system — it’s your conservative and religious one.

- Ayah Istambouli, Cedar Hill

A step forward for conservation

The League of Women Voters of Tarrant County wants to thank the Fort Worth City Council, Mayor Mattie Parker and the Open Spaces Foundation for approving the purchase of 29 acres to be annexed to the Fort Worth Nature Center. This will provide the needed buffer between the nature center’s bison herd and Jacksboro Highway.

The League of Women Voters of Tarrant County supports increasing park acreage and conserving undeveloped open space to ensure all Fort Worth residents and visitors can enjoy our beautiful city. We look forward to more progress on land conservation from this council and lend our support for open-space projects in the future.

- Peggy Hendon, Fort Worth

The writer is president of the League of Women Voters Tarrant County.

I won’t go to Bass Hall now

I hope this letter will cause the board overseeing Bass Performance Hall to reconsider its policy on requiring patrons to show either a negative COVID-19 test or voluntary proof of vaccination.

Safety concerns are understandable. But this issue should give every patriotic American second thoughts. My family and I will no longer patronize the Fort Worth arts community and Bass Hall until these draconian rules are changed.

- Tracy Smith, Wichita Falls