The mayor of Boston has stirred controversy by inviting only city councilors of color to a holiday party, sparking outrage.
Michelle Wu’s aide, Denise DosSantos, appeared to have sent out invitations to all councilors. However, she followed up the email 15 minutes later, apologizing for the mistake. Moreover, she clarified that it was intended only for the city’s six councilors of color.
Accordingly, Wu reportedly did not intend to invite seven white council members.
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“I wanted to apologize for my previous email regarding a Holiday Party for tomorrow,” wrote DosSantos, a black woman. “I did send that to everyone by accident, and I apologize if my email may have offended or come across as so. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.”
DosSantos made no apology for planning to host a racially segregated party. Outgoing City Councilor Frank Baker criticized Wu, stating that it was ‘unfortunate and divisive.’
Meanwhile, the move swiftly divided Boston’s city council, with some expressing no offense to the party, while others questioned Wu’s judgment. Elected in November 2021, Wu became Boston’s first female and first Asian American mayor.
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Afterwards, Michael McCormack, a former five-term Boston councilor, stated that Wu’s hosting an exclusive party is not typical of her office. Furthermore, He argued that former mayors Tom Menino and Ray Flynn would have invited the entire chamber.
‘The problem is that Boston and race, unfortunately, are synonymous,’ McCormack said. ‘I’m just hoping it was a mistake. It’s not something that anyone in the mayor’s office should be proud of.’
However, Wu’s spokesman Ricardo Patron said on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, that the Electeds asked the mayor of Color group to host the annual party. The host and location change each year.
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He said the party was just one of several happening over the festive season. Wu was planning a larger holiday party next week for all her cabinet members, city councilors, and the entire legislature.
Baker said he didn’t see the additional, exclusive party as a ‘good move’ given heightened tensions in the city council. Nonetheless, he clarified that he was not personally offended.
Others defended the move, with Councilor Brian Worrell stating it reflected Boston’s government embracing various specific groups.
‘We make space and spaces for all kinds of specific groups in the city and city government,’ Worrell told the Boston Herald. ‘This is no different, and the Elected Officials of Color has been around for more than a decade.’
Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, in an email to DosSantos and Wu’s team, said the email invite ‘should not offend anyone and there is absolutely no confusion.’
Fernandes Anderson Felt there was no need for apologies at all. She said, ‘Just like there are groups that meet based on shared interests or cultural backgrounds, it’s completely natural for elected officials of color to gather for a holiday celebration.’ She continued, ‘Many groups celebrate and come together in various ways, and it’s not about excluding anyone. Instead, it’s about creating spaces for like-minded individuals to connect and support each other.’
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