Growing up living the suburban American dream, young Wajahat Ali devoured comic books (devoid of brown superheroes) and fielded well-intentioned advice from uncles and aunties. (“Become a doctor!”) He had turmeric stains under his fingernails, was accident-prone, suffered from OCD, and wore Husky pants, but he was as American as his neighbors, with roots all over the world. Then, while Ali was studying at University of California, Berkeley, 9/11 happened. Muslims replaced communists as America’s enemy #1, and he became an accidental spokesman and ambassador of all ordinary, unthreatening things Muslim-y.
Now a middle-aged dad, Ali has become one of the foremost and funniest public intellectuals in America. In Go Back to Where You Came From, he tackles the dangers of Islamophobia, white supremacy, and chocolate hummus, peppering personal stories with astute insights into national security, immigration, and pop culture. In this refreshingly bold, hopeful, and uproarious memoir, Ali offers indispensable lessons for cultivating a more compassionate, inclusive, and delicious America.
Produced by Natalie Freeman, Lance Morgan, & Michael Kowaleski.
Theme: "I Love All My Friends," an unreleased demo by Fragile Gang.
Visit https://www.skylightbooks.com/event for future offerings from the Skylight Books Events team.
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Better Than the Movie 13: MONEYBALL w/ Michael Chin
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SKYLIT: Will Harris, SURELY YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS
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Better Than the Movie, Ep. 10: THE THIN MAN w/ Jen Johans
SKYLIT: Rosecrans Baldwin, EVERYTHING NOW
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Better Than the Movie, Ep. 9: PRISCILLA / ELVIS AND ME w/ Collin Jonkman
Better Than the Movie, Ep. 8: KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON w/ David Kimbel
Better Than the Movie Halloween Special: GOOSEBUMPS
SKYLIT: James Park, CHILI CRISP
Better Than the Movie, Ep. 7: A HAUNTING IN VENICE / HALLOWE’EN PARTY w/ Natalie Freeman and Allison Smith
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SKYLIT: Elliott Kalan, MANIAC OF NEW YORK
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Better Than the Movie, Ep. 5: JAWS w/ Kristen Lopez
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