Saira Rao

Last updated

Saira Rao
Born (1974-06-12) June 12, 1974 (age 49)
Education University of Virginia (BA)
New York University School of Law (JD)
Occupations
  • Political activist
  • author
  • publisher
  • lawyer
Organization(s)Race2Dinner, In This Together Media, Haven, Here4TheKids
WorksChambermaid: A Novel
SpouseShiv Govindan
Children2

Saira Sameera Rao (born June 12, 1974) is an American political activist, author, publisher, and former Wall Street lawyer and television producer. She is the co-founder of Race2Dinner, In This Together Media, and Haven, and came to greater prominence in 2018 when she ran for Congress, losing out to incumbent Democrat Diana DeGette in the primary.

Contents

Early life and career

A first generation Indian-American, Rao was born in Richmond, Virginia, the daughter of Dr. Sybil Philomena "Greenie" Rao and Dr. Jaikar Rao. [1] [2] [3] [ citation needed ] Both her parents are physicians from Southern India. [4]

She received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Virginia in 1996 and went on to work as a journalist and television producer for CBS affiliate WUSA in Washington DC and Fox News affiliate WSVN in Miami. [5] In 2002 she received a J.D. from New York University School of Law and took up a clerkship under Third Circuit court judge Dolores Sloviter between 2002 and 2003 in Philadelphia. [5] [6] She was then an associate in corporate law at Cleary Gottlieb. [7] [8]

Novel

In 2007, Saira Rao's first novel was published. [9] Chambermaid concerns a recent law graduate called Sheila Raj who is a law clerk to Third Circuit judge Helga Friedman, described as a "sociopathic, homicidal, bipolar jurist" and a "toxic bitch." Rao had herself been a law clerk to Third Circuit judge Dolores Sloviter, and other characters in the book were also seen as having real-world counterparts. Rao began writing it while working at Cleary Gottlieb, but left the firm in November 2006 after they learned the topic of the book. For a lawyer to discuss a judge so unflatteringly, even in a fictionalized manner, was considered at least unusual and Rao attributed her desire to write the book partly to address that informal code of silence. Sloviter herself brushed the matter off, saying "I've had maybe close to a hundred law clerks, and it's not surprising that one or two hated me" and "I haven't read it. I don't intend to. I really don't care. OK?" [7] [10]

Kirkus Reviews described Chambermaid as "unoriginal", saying "at least Miranda Priestly was fun". [11] Carlin Romano of The Philadelphia Inquirer described it as "highly entertaining, often insightful, frequently sarcastic and at times extremely nasty". [7] Paula Reed Ward for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette found that "even if the stories are too hard to believe, they are so often written with such an easy, casual air, that they prompt nothing but laughs". [12]

In a 2013 interview Rao said that there was also a film deal attached to Chambermaid, though no film has been produced as of 2021. [13]

Rao had said that her second book, a memoir called Broken News, about "her experience with racism in the new media", was to be published in spring 2020. [14]

In This Together

In 2013, Rao and her friend from her University of Virginia days, comedian and recruiter Carey Albertine, founded In This Together Media, a publishing company intended to extend the range of children's books about girls, and their diversity in racial and other terms. [15] The company operates a mixed model for acquiring titles, sometimes receiving submissions and sometimes commissioning authors to write stories based on ideas generated in-house. Initially the titles were print-on-demand rather than produced in bulk. [13] Later, Rao reported success in selling books to other publishing houses such as Simon & Schuster, rather than publishing books directly themselves. [16] [17]

In This Together had a hand in the book Nevertheless, We Persisted , a collection of 48 short essays with a foreword by Amy Klobuchar. [18] [19]

Run for Congress

In 2018 Rao ran against Representative Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary for Colorado's 1st congressional district. She received endorsements from, among others, Andrew Yang, [20] the Justice Democrats PAC, [21] and Buie Seawell, former chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, [22] but lost the primary 32% to 68%. [23] [24] In the first quarter, Rao raised more money ($250,000) than DeGette ($240,000) for her campaign. [25] DeGette ultimately spent more, reporting $720,000 expended compared to Rao's $415,000. [2]

A month later, Rao tweeted "Short and long answer: YES", in response to a New York Times op-ed by philosopher George Yancy titled "Should I Give Up On White People?". She said that the threats she received in response made her family unsafe and that she had to temporarily leave Colorado. [26] [27]

Views

Rao considers herself a progressive. [28] [29] Prior to the election of Donald Trump, Rao had been a long-standing supporter of the Democratic party and particularly Hillary Clinton, who lost in that election. Subsequently, Rao felt disillusioned by the party leadership, which she felt had failed to respond properly or to listen to the concerns of non-white women. In 2017, she wrote an opinion piece for HuffPost about her reasons for "breaking up" with the party. She said afterwards that she was "mortified" in retrospect by her support of Clinton, but said that it was not the party she was breaking up with, as she'd previously put it, but rather the "Democratic Party establishment". [15]

She ran in the 2018 primary. [22] [25] [30] In an op-ed for Teen Vogue she identified her main goal in running as being to promote and achieve "equity — racial, social, and economic", with policy positions including reforms to gun law, a path to citizenship, and reducing the influence of corporate money in politics. [17] [31]

Rao has on occasion been fiercely critical of Democrats whom she does not regard as sufficiently progressive—"true blue". [22] [32] During the primaries for the 2020 presidential election she accused candidate Pete Buttigieg of "OPEN racism" and cited his Vanity Fair cover as an example of "the media" as a "white supremacy leader". [33] She also said that because speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is a white feminist, she is a white supremacist, and therefore "if you idolize Nancy Pelosi, you may as well declare allegiance to David Duke". [21]

Her tweets have attracted attention. [21] [34] [35] [36] She has written that "private messages of support is another form of white supremacy", [34] "American schools are white supremacy factories", [37] "white supremacy is behind all violence" [38] and "whiteness is literally killing us all". [39] In February 2022 she declared that all Republicans, or anyone married to or friends with a Republican, are fascists. [40] [41]

Pro-Palestine activism and accusations of antisemitism

In 2023, the Creative Artists Agency severed ties with Rao after she made inflammatory comments about Israelis, referring to them as "bloodthirsty genocidal ghouls" who are so "obsessed with land and power and money that you murder newborns to obtain this STUFF". She claimed that "the vast majority of white Americans are pro-genocide", as is the CAA itself, for failing to condemn what she alleges is the ongoing genocide of Palestinians. [42]

Rao received attention for a post on X/Twitter in which she attacked TIME Magazine for naming Taylor Swift as its Person of the Year; Rao accused the magazine of "White nonsense, white violence, white love of Black and brown genocide" for selecting Swift, who Rao alleged would be able to singlehandedly stop the genocide of Palestinians with one Instagram post, but chooses not to. [43]

In 2024, Rao alleged on X/Twitter that Zionist medical professionals pose a threat to Black and Muslim patients. Rao's tweet was condemned as antisemitic by Knesset member Ahmad Tibi, former cable news pundit Mehdi Hasan, and sociologist Philip N. Cohen, but was defended by anti-racist activist Bree Newsome, professor of hospital medicine at the University of California San Francisco Rupa Marya, and German-Palestinian film director Lexi Alexander. Jewish publication The Forward compared the post to the Doctors' plot, a state-sponsored propaganda campaign in the Soviet Union alleging that a cabal of Jewish doctors were trying to assassinate Soviet officials. [44] [45] [46] [47]

Race2Dinner and Haven

After her run for Congress, frustrated with conversations about race started with her by individual white female voters, Rao co-founded "Race2Dinner" with Regina Jackson, whom she got to know on the campaign trail. Beginning in spring 2019, Jackson and Rao attend dinners with 8–10 white women, hosted and catered by one of the white women, and lead a conversation aimed at confronting the women with their own racism. Fifteen such dinners had been held by February 2020 and when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they had 25 more planned for the year. [48] [49] As a result of pandemic, they switched to virtual dinner parties held on Zoom (without food) about twice a week and, following a spike in interest since the murder of George Floyd, the charge for such a dinner doubled from $2,500 to $5,000. [50] They also offer individual consultations and "Race2Community", which is an 8-week online course, in addition to maintaining a Patreon account for subscribers. Rao and Jackson are clear that the conversations have to be "uncomfortable", even "painful", but their approach has changed over time. [50] Certain early attendees described conversations as leading to tears, and Rao as "mean-spirited" and "dogmatic". [48] Since then, they have made Robin DiAngelo's 2018 book White Fragility required reading before dinners. [48] [51]

Jackson and Rao wrote a book together based on their experience with Race2Dinner. The book, published by Penguin Random House, is titled White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better. [52] [53] [54]

In 2020, Rao co-founded "Haven" together with political organiser Candice Fortin and academic Tamara L. Lee. Haven is "a collective of BIWOC and non-binary identifying folks rooted towards abolition, liberation and healing through art and storytelling". [55]

Personal life

Rao is married to businessman Shiv Govindan, and has two children, Lila and Dar Govindan and lives in Country Club, Denver, Colorado. [56]

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diana DeGette</span> American politician (born 1957)

Diana Louise DeGette is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Colorado's 1st congressional district since 1997. A member of the Democratic Party, her district is based in Denver. DeGette was a Chief Deputy Whip from 2005 to 2019 and is the dean of Colorado's congressional delegation; she served as the Colorado State Representative for the 6th district from 1993 until her election to the U.S. House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Schroeder</span> American politician (1940–2023)

Patricia Nell Scott Schroeder was an American politician who represented Colorado's 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1973 to 1997. A member of the Democratic Party, Schroeder was the first female U.S. Representative elected from Colorado and ran for president in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado</span>

The 2010 congressional elections in Colorado were held on November 2, 2010 to determine who will represent the state of Colorado in the United States House of Representatives. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 112th Congress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crisanta Duran</span> American attorney and politician from Colorado

Crisanta Duran is a former American politician who served as the 38th Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the Colorado State Representative for the 5th district from 2011 to 2019, which encompasses part of northwest Denver. She served as Majority Leader from 2015 to 2017. Duran is the first and only Latina elected Speaker of the House in state history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado</span>

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of Colorado, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections will coincide with the elections of other federal and state offices, including Governor of Colorado and U.S. Senator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White genocide conspiracy theory</span> White supremacist conspiracy theory

The white genocide, white extinction, or white replacement conspiracy theory is a white supremacist conspiracy theory that claims there is a deliberate plot to cause the extinction of whites through forced assimilation, mass immigration, and/or violent genocide. It purports that this goal is advanced through the promotion of miscegenation, interracial marriage, mass non-white immigration, racial integration, low fertility rates, abortion, pornography, LGBT identities, governmental land-confiscation from whites, organised violence, and eliminationism in majority white countries. Under some theories, Black people, Hispanics, and Muslims are blamed for the secret plot, but usually as more fertile immigrants, invaders, or violent aggressors, rather than as the masterminds. A related, but distinct, conspiracy theory is the Great Replacement theory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States presidential election in Colorado</span>

The 2016 United States presidential election in Colorado was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, as part of the 2016 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. Colorado voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican Party's nominee, businessman Donald Trump, and running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence against Democratic Party nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and her running mate Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. Colorado has nine electoral votes in the Electoral College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Southern</span> Canadian alt-right political activist (born 1995)

Lauren Cherie Southern is a Canadian alt-right YouTuber, political activist and commentator. In 2015, Southern ran as a Libertarian Party candidate in the Canadian federal election. Southern worked for Rebel Media until March 2017, when she began to work independently.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Colorado gubernatorial election</span>

The 2018 Colorado gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Colorado. Incumbent Democratic governor John Hickenlooper was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term. The primary election was held on June 26.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States Senate election in Colorado</span>

The 2020 United States Senate election in Colorado was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Colorado, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ilhan Omar</span> American politician (born 1982)

Ilhan Abdullahi Omar is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district since 2019. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Before her election to Congress, Omar served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019, representing part of Minneapolis. Her congressional district includes all of Minneapolis and some of its first-ring suburbs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado</span>

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado were held on November 6, 2018, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of Colorado, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The Republican and Democratic Party primaries in Colorado were held on June 26, 2018. The elections coincided with the gubernatorial election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candace Owens</span> American political commentator (born 1989)

Candace Amber Owens Farmer is an American conservative political commentator, author, activist, and television presenter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dottie Lamm</span> American feminist

Dorothy Louise Vennard Lamm is an American feminist, women's rights activist, educator, author, and speaker. She was First Lady of Colorado during her husband Richard Lamm's three terms as Governor of Colorado (1975–1987), and unsuccessfully ran for the United States Senate as the Colorado Democratic candidate in 1998. She wrote a weekly column for The Denver Post from 1979 to 1996 and later published three books. She was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 1985.

Jean Jolliffe Yancey was an American entrepreneur, small business consultant, women's business mentor, and motivational speaker. After working in retail and fashion in New York City and Denver, Colorado, she opened Jean Yancey & Associates in the latter city in 1973, offering training, consulting, and education for women entrepreneurs. In close to 30 years, she assisted more than 1,000 women launching businesses in public relations, advertising, politics, publishing, and other fields, and was known in Denver as "the mother of all businesswomen". She received many awards, including the 1982 National Advocate for Women in Small Businesses award presented by US President Ronald Reagan in a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. She was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado</span>

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of Colorado, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Colorado gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022. Incumbent Democratic Governor Jared Polis won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican University of Colorado regent Heidi Ganahl in a landslide. The primary election was held on June 28.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Boebert</span> American politician (born 1986)

Lauren Opal Boebert is an American politician, businesswoman, and gun rights activist serving as the U.S. representative for Colorado's 3rd congressional district since 2021. From 2013 to 2022, she owned Shooters Grill, a restaurant in Rifle, Colorado, where staff members were encouraged to carry firearms openly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the eight U.S. representatives from the state of Colorado, one from each of the state's eight congressional districts. The elections coincided with the Colorado gubernatorial election, as well as other elections to the U.S. House of Representatives, elections to the U.S. Senate, and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Colorado Democratic presidential primary</span>

The 2024 Colorado Democratic presidential primary took place on March 5, 2024, as part of the Democratic Party primaries for the 2024 presidential election. 86 delegates to the Democratic National Convention was allocated to presidential candidates. The contest was held on Super Tuesday alongside primaries in 14 other states and territories.

References

  1. "My Mom Wore a Sari So That I Could Run for Congress". Modern Loss. May 6, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Murray, Jon (June 26, 2018). "U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette defeats challenger Saira Rao in Democratic primary for Denver-based congressional seat". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  3. "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Foreign Born".
  4. Hirschfield, Robert (April 17, 2018). "Saira Rao: A newborn Indian American radical runs for Congress". International Examiner. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Rao, Saira 1974(?)-". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  6. "Saira Rao". Chapter BE. October 19, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 Romano, Carlin (July 24, 2007). "Novel does no honor to judge". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  8. Lat, David (July 24, 2007). "Do You Believe in Life After Law?". The New York Observer. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  9. Shapiro, Jonathan (July 28, 2007). "Shallow stereotypes don't cut it in chick-lit 'thriller'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  10. Lattman, Peter (June 6, 2007). "A Novel Opens the Curtains Around Federal Clerkships". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  11. "Chambermaid". Kirkus Reviews. May 15, 2007. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  12. Reed Ward, Paula (August 17, 2017). "'Chambermaid: A Novel' by Saira Rao". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  13. 1 2 Smolen, Wendy (September 11, 2013). "A Novel Approach to Business". Kidscreen. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  14. Rao, Saira (September 5, 2018). "Dear NOT ALL White Feminists: Put Down Your Trump Sign, Pick up a Mirror". Brown Girl Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  15. 1 2 Luning, Ernest (December 16, 2017). "DeGette primary challenger Saira Rao running for a 'seat at the table'". Colorado Politics. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  16. "In This Together: Carey Albertine and Saira Rao". Iris. August 5, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  17. 1 2 Rao, Saira (May 21, 2018). "Saira Rao Could Be Colorado's First Woman of Color Elected to Congress". Teen Vogue. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  18. "Nevertheless, We Persisted". Penguin Random House. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  19. "Nevertheless, We Persisted: 48 Voices of Defiance, Strength, and Courage". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  20. Andrew Yang [@AndrewYang] (June 25, 2018). "If you're in Denver vote for my friend @sairasameerarao in tomorrow's Dem primary" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  21. 1 2 3 Webb, Justin (March 22, 2019). "Trump's opponents are falling into his trap". The Times. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  22. 1 2 3 Haniffa, Aziz (April 4, 2018). "Colorado activist Saira Rao challenges incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette". India Abroad. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  23. "2018 Primary Election Results - Democratic Party Ballot". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  24. "Colorado Primary Election Results". The New York Times. June 28, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  25. 1 2 Frank, John (April 13, 2018). "Democratic leader Diana DeGette to face tough primary challenge in June". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  26. Warner, Ryan (July 9, 2008). "Saira Rao Speaks Out About Whiteness Tweet, Death Threats: 'I Want White People To Listen'". CPR News. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  27. "'Both parties are mired in white supremacy,' says ex-candidate in Denver facing threats over tweet". Denver 7. July 9, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  28. Sarlin, Benjy; Egan, Lauren; Shabad, Rebecca (September 11, 2018). "Beyond Obamacare: Democrats have plans, GOP is out to destroy them". NBC News. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  29. Brasch, Sam (June 14, 2018). "DeGette Challenger Saira Rao Is Taking On The Democratic Party — And White Feminism". CPR News. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  30. Joyce, A. P. (April 29, 2018). "She was a party Democrat until 2016 — now she's primarying her Congresswoman from the left". Mic. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  31. Lipsitz, Raina (June 25, 2018). "Swearing Off Corporate Cash: A Q&A With Saira Rao". The Nation. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  32. Herrick, John (May 24, 2018). "U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette faces primary challenger Saira Rao who wants to shape the future of the Democratic Party". The Colorado Independent. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  33. Miller, Tim (December 6, 2019). "The Problematic Pete Wars". The Bulwark. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  34. 1 2 Levenson, Claire (March 11, 2020). "Aux États-Unis, la lutte contre le privilège blanc vire-t-elle à la parodie?". Slate.fr (in French). Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  35. "'Indian food is terrible' tweet sparks hot debate about racism". BBC News. November 25, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  36. Brockell, Gillian (August 8, 2019). "Some white people don't want to hear about slavery at plantations built by slaves". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  37. Saira Rao [@sairasameerarao] (March 28, 2021). "American schools are white supremacy factories" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  38. Saira Rao [@sairasameerarao] (March 25, 2021). "If you don't get how white supremacy is behind all violence, you aren't paying attention."" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  39. Saira Rao [@sairasameerarao] (March 25, 2021). "Whiteness is literally killing us all. Google "whiteness" before commenting or shooting" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  40. Saira Rao [@sairasameerarao] (February 16, 2023). "If you are a Republican in 2023 you are a fascist" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  41. "Saira Rao on LinkedIn: If you are a Republican in 2023, you are a fascist. If you are married… | 39 comments".
  42. "Anti-Genocide or Anti-Semitism? CAA Cuts Ties With Saira Rao Over Israel Comments".
  43. "Anti-Racism Activist Saira Rao Gets Swift Takedown After Attacking TIME's 'White Nonsense'".
  44. Mandel, Seth (January 4, 2024). "Every Conspiracy Everywhere All At Once". Commentary. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  45. "Philip N Cohen (@philipncohen@mastodon.social)". January 2, 2024. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024.
  46. Magid, Jacob (January 3, 2024). "Arab MK slams US liberal over post spreading fear of Zionist doctors". The Times of Israel . Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  47. Fox, Mira (January 4, 2024). "A viral post demonizing Zionist doctors sounds eerily like a Soviet antisemitic conspiracy theory". Forward. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  48. 1 2 3 Noor, Poppy (February 3, 2020). "Why liberal white women pay a lot of money to learn over dinner how they're racist". The Guardian. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  49. Becker, Amanda (June 12, 2020). "Are White Women Finally Waking Up?". Glamour. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  50. 1 2 Wida, Erica Chayes (July 1, 2020). "White women are paying thousands of dollars to confront their racist beliefs over dinner". Today. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  51. Will, Martina (November 1, 2019). "Bearing Witness to "White Supremacy" One Meal at a Time". Front Porch. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  52. Saira Rao [@sairasameerarao] (April 1, 2020). "It feels strange to be excited about anything right now, but I did want to share some cool personal news. [...]" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  53. "Contributor – Saira Rao". HuffPost UK. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  54. Khan, Razib (September 17, 2020). "How Brahmins lead the fight against white privilege". UnHerd. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  55. "Our Mission". Haven. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  56. Rao, Saira (January 25, 2017). "CONFESSIONS OF A CLOSETED BROWN WOMAN". Athena Talks. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  57. Schnall, Susie Orman. "The Balance Project | No. 144: Saira Rao, Co-Founder, In This Together Media". SusieSchnall.com. Retrieved March 30, 2021.