Boston's mayor held a segregated Christmas party for “elected people of color” Wednesday night, defending the gathering and emphasizing that there would be many more if people of all races could come together.
Michelle Wu's party was controversial from the start: email invitations were sent to all thirteen members of the city council, but fifteen minutes later they were withdrawn from the seven white council members.
Asked Wednesday afternoon, shortly before the party, if she thought it was divisive, Wu replied, “No.”
She said there were other opportunities for all people to celebrate together, but emphasized that the 'Chosen of Colour' party was an appropriate way to celebrate 'identity, culture and heritage' in her city.
The Boston Herald reported that there were seven white council members who were not invited – and six people of color who were.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu defended her “elected of color” party party on Wednesday
“This is a group that has been around for many, many years,” said Wu, Boston's first Asian American mayor.
'We celebrate all kinds of connections and identity and culture and heritage in the city.
'Yesterday we hosted our official Hanukkah lighting at City Hall.
“We've had tree lightings and we want to be a city where everyone's identity is embraced, and where there are spaces and communities that we can help support.”
She said the invitation to white people was “an honest mistake” because she refused to accept that dividing people by race could be offensive.
“I think we've all been in the situation where an email goes out and there's an error in the recipients,” she said.
'So it really was an honest mistake.
'There are several ways we celebrate it with everyone. There are several parties to which the entire city council and all our elected colleagues are invited.'
The 38-year-old daughter of Taiwanese immigrants said she and her team had “had individual conversations with everyone so that people understand that it was really an honest mistake that was made in typing the email field.”
She added, “And I look forward to celebrating with everyone at the holiday parties we'll be having in addition to this one.”
“And my intention is that we can once again be a city that lives our values and creates space for all kinds of communities to come together.”
Some of those who were not invited to the party because they were white shrugged their shoulders, while others said it was a sad turn of events.
“We stopped getting to know each other and started attacking each other,” said Frank Baker, who is white.
He said it was part of “the aftermath” of the pandemic, and an inability to “connect in the heart.”
But the guests said it was fine.
“If there were Asian elected officials who wanted to have a party, that would be great,” said Ruthzee Louijeune, who is Black and the first Haitian-American to serve on the council.
'If there were Muslims who wanted to celebrate, that would be great. Because we're still trying to break those barriers, and we're still trying to create a place of safety and say, you too are welcome in these sacred chambers.”
Wu's invitation to Wednesday's party was mistakenly sent to all council members by her assistant, Denise DosSantos.
DosSantos followed up on the email 15 minutes later and apologized for the invitation, clarifying that it was only intended for the city's council members of color.
“I wanted to apologize for my earlier email about a Christmas party tomorrow,” wrote DosSantos, a Black woman.
“I accidentally sent that to everyone, and I apologize if my email was offensive or came across that way. Apologies for any confusion this may have caused.'
There was no apology for actually hosting a racially segregated party.
Wu (pictured in October) sparked backlash after planning a race-based Christmas party for 'electors of color'
Wu City Council Relations Director Denise DosSantos reportedly accidentally invited the chamber to the exclusive event and apologized for any wrongdoing.
The move quickly divided the Boston City Council, with some saying they were not offended by the party, while others questioned Wu's judgment.
Wu was elected mayor of Boston in November 2021, becoming the city's first female and first Asian American mayor.
Michael McCormack, an attorney and former five-term Boston city council member, said Wu hosting an exclusive party is not typical of her office, and argued that former mayors Tom Menino and Ray Flynn would have invited the entire room.
“The problem is that Boston and race are unfortunately synonymous,” McCormack said.
'I just hope it was a mistake. It's not something anyone in the mayor's office should be proud of.”
However, Wu's spokesman Ricardo Patron said Wednesday that the mayor was asked to organize the annual party by the group Electeds of Color, and that the host and location change every year.
He said the party was just one of many taking place during the holidays, and that Wu is planning a larger holiday party next week for all her Cabinet members, city council members and the entire Legislature.
Baker said he didn't see the additional, exclusive party as a “good move” given heightened tensions in the council, but said he wasn't personally offended.
Councilwoman Tania Fernandes Anderson defended Wu, saying, “Just as there are groups that come together based on shared interests or cultural backgrounds, it is completely normal for elected officials of color to gather for celebration.”
“I think it's a shame that, given the current temperature, we would further increase those divisions,” he said, adding: “I don't get offended easily.
“To offend me, you'll have to do a lot more than not invite me to a party.”
Others defended the move, with Black City Councilman Brian Worrell saying the holiday party was an example of how Boston's government was reflecting “all kinds of specific groups.”
“We make space and spaces for all kinds of specific groups in the city and the city council,” Worrell told the Boston Herald.
“This is no different, and the Elected Officials of Color have been around for over a decade.”
Worrell also reportedly said that DosSantos has a good working relationship with the city council and that he took no offense to the way the incident unfolded.
“As she said in her follow-up email, she meant no ill will,” he said.
Some critics questioned Wu's judgment, arguing that hosting an exclusive party is not typical of her mayoralty, and the move may not have succeeded if it was carried out by former mayors such as Ray Flynn (left) and Thomas Menino (right).
The event was unveiled after Mayor Wu's director of council relations Denise DosSantos (pictured) accidentally invited the entire room instead of just “elected people of color.”
Councilwoman Tania Fernandes Anderson said in an email to DosSantos and Wu's team that the email invitation “should not offend anyone and there is absolutely no confusion.”
Fernandes Anderson felt there was “no need for excuses at all,” saying, “Just as there are groups that come together based on shared interests or cultural backgrounds, it is completely normal for elected officials of color to come together for celebration.”
She continued, “Many groups celebrate and come together in different ways, and it's not about excluding anyone.
“Instead, it's about creating spaces for like-minded individuals to connect and support each other.”