Boston’s Democratic mayor has come under fire after she sent out invitations for a holiday party intended only for minority city councilors.
Michelle Wu, the city’s first Asian American mayor, recently had her aide, Denise Dos Santos, send out an email for the event.
“Honorable members: On behalf of Mayor Michelle Wu, I cordially invite you and a guest to the Electeds of Color Holiday Party,” the email said, according to the Boston Herald.
The city leader quickly drew criticism after it became apparent the email was sent to all city councilors, seven of whom are White. The invitation was meant only for the city’s six councilors .
Fifteen minutes after the email was sent out, DosSantos apologized and clarified that the invitation was only meant for minority city councilors. However, she did not apologize for planning a party that excluded White city leaders.
“I wanted to apologize for my previous email regarding a Holiday Party for tomorrow,” DosSantos wrote. “I did send that to everyone 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 revelation about the holiday party quickly received responses from Boston’s city council.
Outgoing City Councilor Frank Baker, a White man, called the mayor’s exclusion of certain members “unfortunate and divisive,” according to the Boston Herald.
Citing recent tensions on the City Council, Baker did not speculate about the reasoning behind the mayor’s decision to host the party but said he did not think it was a “good move.”
“I find it unfortunate that with the temperature the way it is, that we would further division,” he added.
Dough puncher said he was not by and by offended by the choice.
“I don’t actually get outraged too effectively,” he said. “To outrage me, you must do considerably more than not welcome me to a party.”
Dark City Councilor Brian Worrell held an alternate assessment and protected the greeting, proposing the occasion party was just a method for addressing “a wide range of extraordinary gatherings” in the Boston government.
“We make space and spaces for a wide range of explicit gatherings in the city and regional government. This is the same, and the Chosen Authorities of Variety has been around for over 10 years,” Worrell said in a proclamation.