Eboo Patel and the vision of an interfaith America

Eboo Patel, one of America's most recognized interfaith leaders, has written five books and co-edited several others. In his most recent book, We Need to Build: Field Notes For Diverse Democracy Patel seeks to inspire and equip changemakers who can move beyond criticism and begin to build effective institutions for the next pluralistic chapter in American life.< /p>

Ashoka: Eboo, what was the impetus for your new book, We Must Build?

Eboo Patel: Well, the book is really about a positive approach to social change. The goal of social change is not a more ferocious revolution, it is a more beautiful social order. I like to say that we overcome the things we don't like by building the things we do. We must learn to build a social order that welcomes people of diverse identities and builds bridges of cooperation between and among us. I think this is done through a positive narrative that inspires people to build concrete institutions for an inspiring ideal.

Ashoka: And one way to stimulate construction is to remember what others have built. You mention John Lewis and Bob Moses in your book, and dozens of other changemakers, including Jane Addams in Chicago. Can you tell us about her?

Patel: If I had to name one of my heroes throughout American history, I would name Jane Addams. In late 19th century America, she built a laboratory of democracy, Hull House, from which she tackled issues prevalent at the time: juvenile delinquency, poor sanitation, working conditions deplorable, high levels of immigration which brought the Jews and Catholics into conflict with the Protestant majority. And through this institution, it models concrete solutions, many of them on a national scale.

Ashoka: Like...

Patel: There were very few bathtubs in the west end of Chicago, which led to serious health issues. So Jane Addams built a bathhouse at Hull House. There were too few classrooms for school-aged children; she began classes at Hull House. Recent immigrants felt excluded from American life. Jane Addams organized arts and crafts workshops that recognized the art that Jews and Catholics from Southern and Eastern Europe brought, and public kitchens that invited people to try their recipes. In fact, it's hard to name a movement during this progressive era that didn't have some sort of start in Hull House, from the NAACP to women's suffrage. Addams was a strong believer in democracy – democracy as the ability to participate in shaping the public square. She built an institution that invited contributions from people of all backgrounds and identities.

Ashoka: You talk a lot about democracy as a system that requires input from its citizens, and you use potluck as a metaphor. Tell us why.

Patel: Because America is not a melting pot! A diverse democracy should invite the best of people's diverse identities, their best dishes, to a common table. In other words, a potluck. It's the only way for our whole nation to feast. And the wonderful thing is that people are invited to participate and their identity is considered an asset. Bring that dish your grandmother taught you to make. Bring the best of your identity, and the best of your identity will enrich us all.

Ashoka: Perhaps like Hull House, your organization, Interfaith America, formerly Interfaith Youth Core, creates pathways for many people to find their role as builders. What does Interfaith America do?

Patel: At Interfaith America, we believe that religious diversity is a fundamental American strength. Our mission is to inspire and equip people and institutions to unlock the potential of this religious diversity. We host an annual Interfaith Leadership Summit in Chicago that trains students to carry out interfaith service projects on their campuses. Last you...