Anita Ailer Ayala Letters
Collection
Identifier: MSS-166-SC
Scope and Content
This collection contains a letter written in Spanish from Constitutional Governor Tomás Garrido C. of Tabasco, Mexico, assuring Anita Ailer Ayala that the report she read was false. His letter states that although Mexico is, in fact, restructuring its schools to be less indifferent toward the social inequality which exists, it has not organized a sexual education program at this time. He does list, in his letter, several emphases which the new school system will address with regard to Mexico's social conditions. His letter is most specific as to what the school system does not do with regard to sexual education; it does not "oblige children to receive sexual education by watching unions between dogs, horses and cattle; nor does it oblige children to undress, nor does it take them to maternity wards to observe births; nor has any child gone crazy as a consequence of the horrible experience which he has had to bear". The second item in the collection is a draft of the reply to this letter from Anita Ailer Ayala in which she expresses her gratitude to the Governor of Tabasco for his affirmation that "the horrid article in Time magazine was, as [she] knew it to be, untrue." It appears that she used information sent by the governor in presentations to different audiences to support her claim that "the Mexican school system is one of the most wonderful systems in the world." Anita Ailer Ayala also expounds on her respect for the socialist system. Her letter is written in English.
Dates
- 1934
Language of Materials
English Spanish
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publications or distribution.
Historical Information
In the "Foreign News" section of its November 5, 1934 issue, Time magazine published a short news item on Mexico entitled "Facts of Life." This article included the following criticism: "In politics and economics the [Mexican] Government [then run by the National Revolutionary Party] sees everything through pinko-socialist glasses. It rejects religion as a fraud, holding that God does not exist. As to sex, the Government favors teaching even little boys and girls all about themselves. Last week pious parents throughout Mexico were inciting their offspring to play hooky from schools in which such things are taught." Seemingly in response to this report (or perhaps a more detailed one), a teacher from Longfellow School in New Mexico -- Anita Ailer Ayala -- sought the truth from the Constitutional Governor of Tabasco, Tomás Garrido C.
Extent
1 folder (2 items)
Abstract
This collection contains two items of correspondence between Anita Ailer Ayala and Constitutional Governor, Tomás Garrido C. of Tabasco, Mexico regarding the teaching of sexual education in elementary schools in Mexico, in reply to an article in Time magazine.
Separated Material
Photographs of schools in Tabasco, Mexico have been transferred to the Anita Ailer Ayala photograph collection.
Relevant Secondary Sources
- "Facts of Life." Time, November 5, 1934, p. 20.
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Anita Ailer Ayala Letters, 1934
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by K. Stocker
- Date
- ©2000
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 166 SC::Anita Ailer Ayala Letters)//EN" "nmu1mss166sc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu