I happen to have the 2001 Spam Calendar published by the Hormel Company.It is illustrated with classic ads for this famous pork product. I can assure you that you will not find a can of Spam in most Jewish households, yet the Spam Calendar shows the date of the first night of Passover on Apr. 7— “Passover Begins at Sundown” it says. Is it possible to buy a calendar, nowadays, that does not indicate the major Jewish holidays? Yet Ames High Principal Michael McGrory and Superintendent Nick Johns insist that the decision to schedule the prom on Apr. 7 was an unfortunate “oversight,” which they blame on “the previous administration.” And after ignoring requests to change the date for months and months, they now declare it is too late to make any changes! Folks, I think we’re being “spammed.” When you cut through the Spam, it looks like McGrory and Johns are more concerned about not offending or inconveniencing certain members of the prom and post-prom planning committees than they are about correcting an “oversight” which deeply offends so many people in this community.

John Cunnally

Associate professor

Art history