Newman Trustees Undecided About Book Ban

Fox 40 news covers the local School board meeting on the book ban of Bless me Ultima.

By Daniel Montes

January 6, 2009


NEWMAN - Trustees of the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District met Monday to consider banning the book "Bless Me, Ultima" from English classes at Orestimba High School.


The book, written by Rudolfo Anaya, is a coming of age story set in 1940's New Mexico. The main character, a Latino Boy, must come to terms with his thoughts about American Indian religious traditions and Catholicism.


Opponents of the book say it's anti-Catholic and uses various profanities.


The controversy began when Superintendent Rick Fauss removed the book from the class' curriculum in October, because one parent complained about the book's content.


The Trustees did not reach a decision Monday night. However, many people took to the podium and expressed opposition to the removal of the book. One person said "If you censor one book, what's next?"


The Trustees are expected to meet the following Monday to come to a decision on whether the book should be taken off the school's English class curriculum.


Since the book was removed, the American Civil Liberties Union has written to the Trustees, asking to overturn Fauss' decision.


The book is adopted by the California Department of Education.




ALSO IN THE MODESTO BEE



NEWMAN -- Trustees of the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District Monday night heard from nine people, most of whom spoke against banning "Bless Me, Ultima" from high school English classes.


About 70 teachers, parents, community members, and past and present Orestimba High School students packed the room for Monday's special meeting.


Trustees will consider at their regular meeting next week whether or not to uphold a decision that removed the book.


All but one speaker defended "Bless Me, Ultima," saying it was an important story that connects with teens. Speakers also voiced concern over what they called a subjective decision made by Superintendent Rick Fauss, based on one parent complaint.


"It makes me wonder, can any family object to any book for any reason?" asked Tony Spears, president of the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. "I can't think of a book, I can't think of a newspaper article that's not offensive to some people."



Fauss' decision to yank the book from English classes in October after a parent complaint has irked some, especially since he hadn't read the 260-page book. He did so for Monday's meeting, saying he was more disturbed with its content than before.



Some argue the book is profane and anti-Catholic. Others contend it's a coming-of-age story Orestimba's students can relate to.


Written by Rudolfo Anaya, "Bless Me, Ultima" is set in New Mexico and profiles the life of a Latino boy maturing, asking questions concerning evil, justice and the nature of God, and trying to reconcile herbal magic with traditional Roman Catholicism.


Parent Nancy Corgiat, who made the original complaint, also spoke Monday, saying the book contains offensive language and religiously biased themes "that undermine the conservative family values in our homes." Corgiat said she was able to find many books with Hispanic themes that could substitute for "Bless Me, Ultima."




Multiple issues surfaced at Monday's meeting. Board President Derek Solano said he was frustrated that teachers did not come to trustees before making media aware of the ban.



Over the last two months, the ban has drawn support and ire. The controversy gained the attention of the ACLU, which sent a letter to trustees urging them to overturn the ban. After discussing the letter in closed session as possible litigation for more than an hour, Solano limited public comment to 20 minutes per board policy.



About 200 students were scheduled to read the book this year. Orestimba High enrolls about 750 students from Newman and Crows Landing.



"Bless Me, Ultima" is this year's novel for the U.S. Academic Decathlon competition and is adopted by the California Department of Education.


Bee staff writer Michelle Hatfield can be reached at mhatfield@modbee.com or 578-2339.

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• Orestimba High School
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[kevlonk]

Books should not be banned, period. The purpose of the library is to provide books for its patrons to read, regardless of the book's content or the patron's background. If someone doesn't want to read a certain book, fine, but they should not waive another person's right to read that same book as well.

[1LonePuma]

Most students’ brains have already turned into mush--thanks to the bombardment of immorality on television! It’s obvious that America has lost her moral compass, without godly parents. They continue to allow the fostering of immorality without a fight for what is good and righteous. We live in a society that is corrupt and deceitful, without a way of escape because we tolerate ungodliness!