Book Banning in Newman, California

The celebrated book "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rodolfo Anaya, has been removed from the sophmore selected reading list at Orestimba High School in Newman, Stanislaus County, California. The book, on Laura Bush's "must-read list" and a literature selection for this years high school Academic Decathlon, has been removed from the required reading list after a parent complained that the book was sexually explicit and anti-Catholic. Rick Fauss, Supt. of Schools, said the book contained "excessive vulgarity or profanity" and the school board voted 4 to 1 to remove the coming-of-age novel from the reading list.

The only thing that should be removed is Rick Fauss himself for the total abrogation of his duty and responsibility. What a role model he turns out to be.

A parent complained. Well, let us reduce the community to the lowest common denominator by insuring we abuse the rights of all to cater to an ignorant few.

Anti-Catholic? Has anyone taken a close look lately. The church seems to be more like a cult of uncles who cannot be left alone with children; why shouldn't some stones be thrown at them. Let alone the whole anti-Semetic side of the church that has recently been revealed in the holocaust denial controversy.

I also wonder if the dark secret of this controversy lies in the fact that this is a Latino coming-of-age story, and would be treated differently if it was about a freckled red-headed Opie finding his way to adulthood.

Keeping important books out of the schools is a terrible thing. We should remember the words and thought of one of America's greatest writers.

"The dirtiest book of all is the expurgated book." -Walt Whitman, poet (1819-1892)

Shame on you, Newman.