'Diversity Book Drive' In Bucks Co. School District Pushes Back Against Anti-DEI Moves

PERKASIE, PA — A local nonprofit is using digital book drives and the installation of little free libraries to push back on the removal of books from Pennridge School District shelves.

After learning that books by authors of color and books on gender identity had been removed from some Pennridge curricula and libraries, the Pennridge Improvement Project decided to take matters into its own hands to support diverse reading material in the district.

The group describes itself as "dedicated to developing a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion while fostering a sense of belonging through community engagement."

According to WHYY, the Pennridge School District has planned to remove or already removed books including Leslea Newman’s “Heather has Two Mommies,” Kim Johnson’s “This is My America,” and Ibi Zoboi’s “American Street.” These books have apparently been targeted because of authorship by writers of color and/or discussion of LGBTQ+ issues.

The Pennridge Improvement Project responded by creating a yearlong virtual Diversity Book Drive via an Amazon wishlist. Community members can purchase books online to fill little free libraries in all eight district towns with diverse reading materials for Pennridge kids.

"A majority of the books are by diverse authors and/or about diversity & inclusion," the organization wrote in an online statement, saying that some of the books are books that were removed from Pennridge shelves, but not all.

"We never said that it was a list of banned books," the Pennridge Improvement Project clarified. "However, we feel strongly that, no matter the reason, singling out books on LGBTQ+ topics (gender identity) for review & grouping them in with topics such as violence, profanity, and sexually explicit content is discriminatory & wrong."

Removing books isn't the only restriction taking place in the Pennridge school district, according to reports.

"The removal of the books accompanied the school board’s decision to dissolve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and form a new DEI team, an idea suggested by current Board President Joan Cullen," Emily Rizzo reported for WHYY.

The Bucks County NAACP and the Anti-Defamation League Philadelphia publicly condemned the decision, the Bucks County Courier Times reported. DEI-related materials were temporarily pulled from the Pennridge website in August following a 6-1 vote to pause the administration's initiatives.

The newly-formed student group Pennridge Rise Up seeks in part to address this. WHYY reports that the group, founded by 16-year-old student Annika Verma, hopes to petition in support of DEI initiatives and against book banning and to create infographics representing student opinions about Pennridge policies.

The Pennridge Improvement Project said its members hope to collaborate with the students.

The parent-led nonprofit recently hosted a Day of Service Read Aloud, to honor Martin Luther King Day. They've also supported their community by spearheading discounts for teachers and staff at local businesses, and by hosting an Art in the Park pop-up event.

The group is now working to distribute books that have been donated so far during the drive; others on the wishlist include "Ohana Means Family" by Ilima Loomis and Kenard Pak, and "Fish for Jimmy: Inspired by One Family's Experience in a Japanese American Internment Camp" by Katie Yamasaki.

"Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far, our hearts are full!" the organization said. "Stay tuned for more information as we start getting these books into free little libraries throughout the district."

Be the first to know what's going on in Bucks County when you subscribe to Patch.