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Wajahat Ali grew up in the Bay Area in the 1980s — a shy, chubby, awkward kid who was decidedly American but not always in the right way.

His journey to becoming a writer, public speaker and post-9/11 activist is the thread that weaves together his new book, “

Go Back to Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American

A few things you need to know about Ali: He’s bracingly honest, disarmingly funny and despite all that he and his family have gone through, he remains defiantly hopeful. He knows America loves the concept of diversity more than the reality. But he also saw people who hate his politics offer to become liver donors after his toddler daughter was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. 

Don’t miss this week’s witty, wise and personal Big Books and Bold Ideas conversation between Ali and host Kerri Miller. 

Use the audio player above to listen to the author interview.

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Writer and activist Wajahat Ali loves America — but he knows that being a brown, Muslim in this country means America doesn’t always love him back. In his personal and often hilarious memoir, “Go Back To Where You Came From,” Ali shares his own experience of being both "us" and "them."

Wajahat Ali on being American with an asterisk

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