A Pennsylvanian woman is under fire for apparently lying about her race and ethnicity and leading a social justice organization while doing so. Raquel Saraswati, who was named Rachel Elizabeth Seidel at birth, worked as a senior inclusion officer at the American Friends Service Committee until she resigned following the allegations.
Saraswati's mother, Carole Perone, told The Intercept that her daughter is of British, German, and Italian ancestry. Saraswati claims to be of Latin, South Asian, and Arab descent.
Her mother told the outlet, "I call her Rachel. I don’t know why she’s doing what she’s doing. I’m as white as the driven snow and so is she."
Layne Mullet, a representative for the American Friends Service Committee, issued a statement on behalf of the organization that Saraswati has worked for.
Mullet announced, "Raquel Saraswati, who is facing public allegations that she misrepresented her background and past associations, has informed us of her intention to separate from the organization."
Saraswati spoke to the Daily Beast about her decision to leave. She said, "I have carried out my work at AFSC with integrity and sincere commitment, moving forward many aspects of organizational culture."
She continued, "I will be handling this phase of my relationship with AFSC with the same level of thoughtfulness and care as I did [other] important matters. I am currently taking the time I need both with loved ones as well as with professional counsel to ensure that the doors are soon closed on this."
Saraswati's mother has explained that her daughter converted to Islam when she was in high school, and over the years appeared to take on a new ethnic identity. Another family member also told The Intercept that Saraswati is white.
Oskar Pierre Castro, who works in human resources at the organization Saraswati was employed by, told The Intercept, "In my mind it was, ‘Great, a person of color, a queer person of color, who happens to be a Muslim, it’s a woman,’ all these things, and someone who seemed to get it. I definitely feel conned. … I feel deceived."
Some who worked with Saraswati are also concerned because she began her career with a right-wing bent. An open letter about Saraswati claims that she appeared on a number of right-wing talk shows after 9/11 and appeared to speak out against many parts of Islam. As a result, "there’s a fear that she could be an agent, because she started her career right-wing. She was a token Muslim voice in that milieu. She never publicly apologized."
Saraswati took to her Facebook account on Sunday, February 26, 2023, to write, "I assure people that as soon as I am capable, I will provide answers to the recent discussion and attack on me. I understand all the reactions you’re having. I am currently taking the time to get to where I can answer in a way that is most helpful and thorough."
