Raquel Evita Saraswati
Raquel Evita Saraswati (born Rachel Elizabeth Seidel and also known as Raquel Evita Seidel) is an American activist.[1][2]
Career[edit]
Saraswati previously appeared on CNN alongside conservative commentator Glenn Beck in 2007 and made appearances on Fox News and Newsmax.[2][3][4] In 2013, she appeared in a film produced by the Clarion Project, an organization that was noted by the Southern Poverty Law Center for anti-Muslim bigotry.[2][3][4] She has also been associated with the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, a group that has faced accusations of promoting Islamophobia.[2][3]
Saraswati later focused on LGBTQ+ rights and diversity issues.[2] She served as the chair of the commission on LGBT affairs in the Philadelphia mayor's office before her appointment at the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), in June 2021.[2] She served as the chief equity, inclusion, and culture officer at the AFSC until February 2023, when she resigned after anonymous allegations were made in a public open letter that included claims she misrepresented her ethnic background.[4][2][5] A press release published on August 29, 2023 stated: "Saraswati completed three independent and extensive DNA tests, which were reviewed and verified by Dr. Jayne Bird of Philadelphia. 'Raquel has been my regular patient since 2018. As a dermatologist, I classify her skin type as Fitzpatrick Skin Type 4, meaning she has light brown/olive skin color. Natural skin color is determined by genetics and skin type often represents a blend of ethnicities. Her DNA includes the following ethnicities, among others: North African (close to 40%), West Asian, Greek and South Italian (these two are grouped as one category representing approximately 6% of Raquel's DNA). Low amounts (<5%) of Nigerian and other ethnicities are also present. Based on this genetic testing and my observations, it is clearly established that she is skin type 4 and skin of color.'"[6]
In 2019, Saraswati was included in The New Philly Power list.[7]
Saraswati is also the founder of Sacred Justice, an interfaith group.[8][9]
Personal life[edit]
Saraswati converted to Islam in high school and identifies as queer.[2][3][5]
References[edit]
- ↑ Castillo, Amaris (April 17, 2023). "How a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter found nuance in a local 'Rachel Dolezal situation'".
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Speri, Alice (February 16, 2023). "Progressive Group Roiled by Accusations Diversity Leader Misrepresented Her Ethnic Background". The Intercept.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Mikati, Massarah (March 20, 2023). "Raquel Evita Saraswati pretended to be a woman of color. Her deception traumatized the communities she claimed to help". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Korfhage, Matthew (February 24, 2023). "Philly diversity exec, former FOX pundit, resigns amid claims she lied about her race". Delaware Online. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mikati, Massarah (September 10, 2023). "Raquel Saraswati denies allegations that she lied about her race". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ↑ Evolved Public Relations (August 29, 2023). "Former DEI Officer Poised to Resume Work in Civil Rights Space After Addressing False Allegations". PRLog. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ↑ "New Philly Power: 38 Philadelphians Shaking Up the Status Quo". March 14, 2019.
- ↑ Owens, Ernest (April 7, 2017). "LGBTQ&A: Raquel Evita Saraswati". Philadelphia.
- ↑ "CNN.com - Transcripts". edition.cnn.com.
This article "Raquel Evita Saraswati" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Raquel Evita Saraswati. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
