Boston mayor hosts party for elected officials ‘of color,’ dividing city council members

The Democratic mayor of Boston is taking heat for holding a holiday party only for “electeds of color,” while the invitation was sent accidentally to all councilors, including Whites.

Mayor Michelle Wu is the city’s first Asian-American mayor. Her invitation for the “Electeds of Color Holiday Party,” held Wednesday, was sent by her aide to all 13 councilors instead of the six of color. The aide, Denise DosSantos, later sent out an apology email for inviting everyone.

“I wanted to apologize for my previous email regarding a Holiday Party for tomorrow,” Ms. DosSantos’ email said, according to Daily Mail. “I did send that to everybody by accident, and I apologize if my email may have offended or came across as so. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.”

The email did not include an apology for planning the party that excluded White councilors. City Council Frank Baker, who is White, told the Boston Herald that he found the whole scenario “unfortunate and divisive.”

“I find it unfortunate that with the temperature the way it is, that we would further division,” he said, adding that he was not personally offended by the party.

Councilor Michael McCormack said this type of party was not typical of the mayor’s office and that previous mayors would’ve invited the entire chamber.

“The problem is that Boston and race, unfortunately, are synonymous,” Mr. 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.”

In a statement to WCVB -TV, the mayor said the initial emailed invitation was a “mistake in the recipient.”

She said holiday gatherings for all elected officials are also planned, and that she “looked forward to celebrating with everyone at the holiday parties that we have besides this one, as well.”

Black City Councilor Brian Worrell said the “elected of color” party was to make sure all “specific groups” in the city government are recognized.

“We make space and spaces for all kinds of specific groups in the city and city government. This is no different, and the Elected Officials of Color has been around for more than a decade,” Mr. Worrell said in a statement.

Ms. Wu’s spokesman, Ricardo Patron, said that the group, Electeds of Color, had asked Ms. Wu to host the annual party. He added that the host and the location of the party changes every year.

He also said it was just one party out of multiple that was happening during the holiday season, and that Ms. Wu has a larger holiday party that she is planning for next week for all cabinet members, city councilors and the legislature.