Montrose - Daily Press

Katharhynn Heidelberg

NORWOOD - The protesters have spoken and they want "Bless Me, Ultima" restored to Norwood High School curriculum. Norwood Superintendent Bob Conder was just as adamant Friday that he would protect students from profanity in a "mandatory" ninth-grade English assignment; the author, meanwhile, said Conder could do with a little education himself.

"I hope the community has by now resolved the issue and makes the superintendent write a book report," Rudolfo Anaya said in a voice mail message left over the weekend after the Daily Press left a message at his New Mexico residence Friday.

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"Bless Me, Ultima," the story of a young New Mexico boy and a traditional healer, the title character, was assigned by Norwood teacher Lisa Doyle earlier this year. Doyle advised parents in a letter that the book contains adult language and "deals with interesting spiritual questions." She also said Conder had approved the book.

But when at least one parent reportedly complained to Conder, he pulled the book from the curriculum and turned over more than 20 copies to the complaining party, who could not be reached for comment.

Conder admitted at a Friday assembly that he had not read the book, but said he wasn't trying to prevent students from reading it themselves; he only wanted to prevent them from being subjected to profanity through a mandatory assignment.

He also said he had approved only the requisition order for the book, not the book itself, and had therefore required Doyle to write an apology letter. Conder told students he would form a committee with parents, students and teachers to discuss future curriculum concerns.

Several students staged a sit-in protest after the assembly, welcoming Conder's news later that afternoon that the controversial book would be considered for inclusion.

"He said if the committee considered it appropriate, he'd pay for it out of his own pocket," protester Sarah Setzer said Monday.

"Mr. Conder handled this very well. He allowed us to do the sit-in and legally, he could have found a loophole to kick us off school grounds or suspend us."

Students remained in the gym the rest of the school day, reading from the book.

Anaya, professor emeritus at the University of New Mexico, published "Bless Me, Ultima" in 1972 to critical acclaim and numerous honors, including the Prenio Quinto Sol literary award and the New Mexico Governor's Public Service Award.

Norwood's removal of the book is not the first time it's come under fire, with other schools in California, Texas and New York challenging "Bless Me, Ultima," for its content during the 1990s and in 2000.

Contact Katharhynn Heidelberg via e-mail at katharhynnh@montrosepress.com

Comments

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