Livingston Parents Launch Fundraiser to Bring More Diverse Books To School Libraries

LIVINGSTON, NJ — In advance of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month in May, Livingston parents are using GoFundMe to raise funds for more AAPI-themed books in elementary school libraries and the public library.

They originally started the campaign last year after "Feeling the urge to dispel stereotypes and prejudices held towards the AAPI community," said the Livingston Multicultural Parents Association.

Last year, they raised nearly $4,000, and they have set the bar for at least $3,000 this year.

"This year, we want to start the AAPI month by acknowledging our community the tremendous effort our local high school students put into making New Jersey the second state to require schools to integrate AAPI history into the curriculum," they said on the page. "Livingston AAPI Youth Alliance (LAYA) has contributed significantly as the first and only high school organization in advocating a statewide AAPI curriculum Bill."

In January, one Livingston teen talked in Time Magazine about Gov. Phil Murphy's recent signing of a bill for schools to teach more AAPI history. READ MORE: Livingston Teen Glad NJ Schools Will Teach Asian-American History

The parent group wrote on their page, "We are still in the middle of a pandemic; whether you are one of the AAPI community or not, it affects your life. During 2020 and leading into 2021, the AAPI community has experienced a 1,900 percent increase in anti-Asian sentiment hate crimes in New York alone ... Those numbers are certainly not what we feel comfortable presenting to our young
generations."

They noted, "Making diversity of literature in the classroom and libraries can help our kids see from all perspectives and enrich their own viewpoints. Through our campaign of donations, we are planting seeds in those little hearts, hoping we can find a forest of empathetic and highly self-aware young adults one day."

The GoFundMe is here.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an annual celebration acknowledging the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States.

GoFundMe has also created an AAPI Community Fund to support the AAPI community.

Sign up to get breaking news alerts in Livingston or your town, or get a free daily newsletter each morning at 6 a.m. with local news. Sign up with your zip code here and you'll get an email asking for your preferences.