Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation in partnership with Commonwealth Club World Affairs present

Wajahat Ali
How to Fight Fascism with Humor, Heart,
. . . and Hummus

Join Wajahat Ali for a timely conversation on his insights on the fragility of democratic institutions, his work fighting racism and extremism, and how ordinary citizens can resist authoritarianism. Wajahat will be in conversation with author and San Francisco journalist Gil Duran. Gil is the author of forthcoming book, The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy).

In his weekly podcast Wajahat Ali, acclaimed writer and public speaker, urgently chronicles an American democracy “under assault from the forces of fascism and authoritarianism.” One way he copes is by building Star Wars Lego sets with his kids, “to instill in them a need for rebellion and hope against the Empire” he recently joked with guest Heather Cox Richardson. It’s Wajahat Ali’s combination of insightful analysis, social critique…and humor…that has made Ali a leading public intellectual and frequent commentator on national television.

He’ll also talk about his experiences growing up in Fremont as the child of Pakistani immigrants as told in his acclaimed memoir, Go Back to Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American, which NPR called “biting and funny and full of heart”.

“We are all fortunate to be on the receiving end of not only his intellect, but his humanity and heart." ~ Katie Couric

This program is part of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Civic Conversation Series hosted by the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation. The Lafayette Library Foundation's Program Series is sponsored in part by Orchard Nursery and Friends of the Lafayette Library.

Proceeds from this event benefit the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.

Wajahat Ali

How to Fight Fascism with Humor, Heart, ... and Hummus