Boston Mayor Michelle Wu proudly shared a photo from the controversial “black people” Christmas party she hosted on Wednesday, showing all the smiling minority government officials at the “non-white” gathering.
“Last night it was my turn to host the annual Christmas dinner for Boston’s elected officials of color – a special moment to appreciate that our affinity group now includes leadership in city, state, county and federal offices,” Wu wrote in a caption next to the photo on Instagram.
Wu, 38, came under fire earlier this week when her director of City Council Relations, Denise DosSantos, emailed the party’s exclusive invitation to all City Council members instead of just those “elected.” color”.
The Boston City Council is made up of six minority members and seven white members, who were not the intended targets of the email.
The assistant realized her mistake approximately fifteen minutes after the message and sent a follow-up email to the white council members who received the invitation in error.
“I wanted to apologize for my previous email about a Christmas party tomorrow,” DosSantos wrote in his follow-up. “I sent it to everyone by accident and I apologize if my email may have caused offense or seemed that way. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.”
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu shared a photo from inside the controversial “colored elect” Christmas party, showing all of the invited government officials smiling. Boston 25 News Wu shared the photo from the “chosen of color” Christmas party on her Instagram account earlier this week. Michelle Wu/Instagram
Wu said the group of “colored picks” has grown since she began her public service when she was elected to the City Council in 2014.
“Not long ago in Boston, we didn’t need a table that big to accommodate elected officials of color. But during my time as a City Council Member and now Mayor, following so many leaders who have paved the way, I have proudly watched this group grow and create a space for mentorship and fellowship among many who are breaking down barriers while upholding the weight of being the first or the only one,” he said.
Hours before hosting the gathering at the city’s official reception hall, Parkman House, Wu stood outside and defended his choice to host the party, claiming it had become an annual tradition over the past decade.
City Council Relations Director Denise DosSantos emailed the party’s exclusive invitation to all City Council members instead of just “electees of color.”
“I have been part of a group that meets and represents elected officials of color at all different levels of government in Massachusetts,” Wu said, according to WCVB. “A group that has been around for over a decade and the opportunity to create a space for people to celebrate and rotate who is the host.”
“I think we’ve all been in a situation where at some point an email was sent and there was a mistake on the recipient,” he added.
The mayor also emphasized that there would be other Christmas parties where city officials of all races would gather.
One of the councilors who wasn’t invited didn’t seem to mind the awkward emails and said he doesn’t offend easily.
Wu sits next to the City Council, which is made up of six minority members and seven white members. BOSTON 25 News
“I really don’t get offended easily,” Baker, a white Democrat, told the Boston Herald. “To offend me you are going to have to do much more than not invite me to a party.”
“It seems unfortunate to me that with the temperature the way it is, we are moving forward in that division,” he added.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn