In a recent revelation by Libs of TikTok, an email sent by the office of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has sparked controversy.
The email, issued by Denise DosSantos, the Director of City Council Relations, was an invitation to the "Electeds of Color Holiday Party." However, the email was inadvertently sent to all city council members, including those who are white.
The Boston Herald provided a comprehensive report on the incident, stating that the email was followed by an apology and elicited mixed reactions. The party was scheduled for Thursday at the Parkman House on Beacon Street in Boston. After the email had been circulating for 15 minutes, DosSantos dispatched a second email, expressing regret for the initial one. She clarified that the invitation was exclusively for the six councilors "of color," not the seven white councilors.
In her apology, DosSantos stated, "I wanted to apologize for my previous email regarding a Holiday Party for tomorrow. 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."
Despite the apology, Councilor Brian Worrell, an "elected of color," defended the racially exclusive Christmas party. He argued, "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."
Others concurred, suggesting that because DosSantos "meant no ill will," the exclusion of some councilors based solely on their race was acceptable. Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, also an "elected of color," saw no issue with a racially segregated party. She believed there was "no need for apologies at all" and that the "email should not offend anyone."
Anderson maintained that "its completely natural for elected officials of color to gather for a holiday celebration" and intentionally exclude their colleagues based on their race alone. She argued that "many groups celebrate and come together in various ways, and its not about excluding anyone. Instead, its about creating spaces for like-minded individuals to connect and support each other." Anderson commended Wu's decision to segregate councilors based on race.
However, City Council Frank Baker, whose term is ending, described the segregated holiday party as "unfortunate and divisive." He told the Herald that he wasn't personally offended, stating, "I don't really get offended too easily," and that not being invited to a party wasn't enough to upset him. Baker questioned the rationale behind a racially segregated Christmas party hosted by the mayor's office, labeling it a "bad move," particularly given the internal issues within the council.
DosSantos, who claims to be "a passionate advocate for bridging the gap between City Resources and her community," and Mayor Wu, a known advocate for black elected leaders, have faced criticism for this incident. Earlier this year, Wu expressed her appreciation for being "surrounded by Black excellence, Black joy, Black brilliance, Black persistence, every single day here working for the city of Boston."
Two-thirds of her cabinet are black, including the chief of economic development Segun Idowu, who stated, "When you look at who makes up the cabinet, there are Black folks running operations, running community engagement, running communications, running the Police Department, running emergency management, running transportation, running the economy, running development."
Login