Eboo Patel’s publications, interviews, and appearances include the New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN, among many others. For media requests, contact Teri Simon at [email protected].
Eboo Patel is a civic leader who believes that religious diversity is an essential and inspiring dimension of American democracy. Named “one of America’s best leaders” by U.S. News and World Report, Eboo is Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Under his leadership, Interfaith America has worked with governments, universities, private companies, and civic organizations to make faith a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division.
Eboo served on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council, has given hundreds of keynote addresses, and has written five books, including We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy. He is an Ashoka Fellow and holds a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University, where he studied on a Rhodes scholarship. Eboo lives in Chicago with his wife, Shehnaz, and their two sons.
Defeat the things you do not love by building the things you do.
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Highlight to them all the ways that they are already powerful, and emphasize that their purpose should be to increase their power and use it responsibly. Teach them the skills and knowledge to defeat the things they do not love by building the things they do.
The goal of social change is not a more ferocious revolution; it is a more beautiful social order. We need to defeat the things we do not love by building the things we do.
This book is for anyone tired of the divisiveness and ill will in our society, and who seeks a constructive way to strengthen our diverse democracy.
I lost sight of many things, like how fortunate I was to be a middle-class college student spending my days reading and the role I had in building something better. I was in a conspiracy against my own agency.
America is at a molten moment and needs constructive social change agents to shape it for the better. Young people can find their purpose in serving their communities and may even find themselves launching institutions and movements that wind up renewing American democracy.
In the spirit of Dr. King and in the footsteps of Rabbi Cytron-Walker, we commit to making our bridges of cooperation so strong that the bombs of hate cannot destroy them.
Eboo Patel’s publications, interviews, and appearances include the New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN, among many others. For media requests, contact Teri Simon at [email protected].
Eboo Patel consults with corporations, civic organizations, government, higher education organizations, and campuses. Contact Teri Simon at [email protected] for more information.
Eboo Patel delivers keynotes for corporations, civic organizations, government, higher education organizations, and campuses. Contact Teri Simon at [email protected] for more information.
“A blueprint and a guidebook for an inclusive twenty-first-century democracy.” — Van Jones
“A beautifully written story of discovery and hope.” — President Bill Clinton
“A field guide to the critical territory we have traversed in this eventful, young century.” — Krista Tippett
“Eboo Patel is one of the most inspiring and successful interfaith leaders on the national, and even international, scene.” — Paul F. Knitter
“A refreshing, thought-provoking, myth-smashing, and deeply patriotic exploration of American identity and ideals.” — Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
