Boston Mayor Michelle Wu proudly shared a photo of the controversial “color choice” holiday party she hosted on Wednesday, showing all smiling government officials from minority backgrounds at the “no white people” rally.
“Last night it was my turn to host the annual holiday dinner for Boston’s elected officials of color—a special moment to appreciate our affinity group now including leadership across city, state, county and federal offices,” Wu wrote in the caption with the photo on Instagram.
Wu, 38, came under fire earlier this week when City Council Communications director Denise DosSantos emailed the party’s exclusive invitation to all City Council members instead of just “people of color.”
The Boston City Council consists of six minorities and seven white members, who were not the intended target of the email.
The aide realized her mistake about fifteen minutes into the message and sent a follow-up email to the white councilor who accidentally received the invitation.
“I want to apologize for my previous email regarding the Holiday Party for tomorrow,” DosSantos wrote in his follow-up. “I sent it to everyone by accident, and I apologize if my email may have offended or come across as such. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.”
Wu shared a “color choice” holiday party photo to her Instagram account earlier this week. Michelle Wu/Instagram
Wu claims the group of “choices of color” has grown since he first began his public service when he was elected to the City Council in 2014.
“It wasn’t that long ago in Boston that we didn’t need such a large table to hold a color selection. But throughout my time as a City Councilor and now Mayor, following so many leaders who have paved the way, I have proudly watched this group grow and create space for guidance and friendship among the many who are breaking barriers while holding the weight of being the first or the one the only one,” he said.
Hours before hosting the rally at the city’s official reception hall, the Parkman House, Wu stood outside and defended his choice to host the party, claiming it had been an annual tradition for the past decade.
Denise DosSantos, Director of City Council Communications, sent an exclusive party invitation email to all City Council members instead of “the select few”.
“I’ve been part of a group that has come together, representing elected officials of color across all different levels of government in Massachusetts,” Wu said, according to WCVB. “A group that’s been around for over a decade, and an opportunity to create a space for people to celebrate and rotate who’s the host.”
“I think we’ve all been in a position at some point where an email goes out, and there’s an error in the recipient,” he added.
The mayor also insisted there would be another holiday party where city officials of all races would gather together.
One of the uninvited councilors didn’t seem to mind the awkward email, saying he doesn’t take offense easily.
Wu stands alongside the City Council, which is made up of six minority and seven white members. BOSTON News 25
“I’m not too easily offended,” Baker, a white Democrat, told the Boston Herald. “To offend me, you have to do more than not invite me to a party.”
“I think unfortunately with the temperature like that, we will continue the division,” he added.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
