A Wu administration official, on behalf of the mayor, mistakenly despatched all Boston metropolis councilors an e-mail Tuesday inviting them to a vacation get together that was meant solely for “electeds of color,” prompting an apology and blended reactions.
Denise DosSantos, the mayor’s director of City Council relations, instructed the physique’s “honorable members” that, “on behalf of Mayor Michelle Wu,” she was cordially inviting every of them “and a guest to the Electeds of Color Holiday Party on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Parkman House, 33 Beacon St.”
Approximately quarter-hour later, nonetheless, DosSantos despatched out a follow-up e-mail to metropolis councilors, apologizing for the prior e-mail, which was apparently solely meant for many who have been invited. The physique consists of seven white councilors and 6 of colour.
“I wanted to apologize for my previous email regarding a Holiday Party for tomorrow,” DosSantos, a Cape Verdean Black lady, 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.”
Whether the e-mail offended the excluded councilors was unclear, a number of of whom selected not to answer the Herald’s request for remark.
Outgoing City Councilor Frank Baker, who’s white, described the mayor’s choice to exclude some members as “unfortunate and divisive,” however stated the e-mail didn’t offend him personally.
“I don’t really get offended too easily,” Baker instructed the Herald. “To offend me, you’re going to have to do much more than not invite me to a party.”
Baker stated he wasn’t positive what the reasoning behind the mayor having a separate get together based mostly on racial traces, however stated he didn’t suppose it was a “good move,” given the current tensions on the City Council.
“I find it unfortunate that with the temperature the way it is, that we would further that division,” Baker stated.
Councilor Brian Worrell, who’s Black and was vying for the Council presidency earlier than tentatively agreeing to change into the physique’s vice chairman subsequent time period, defended the invite, nonetheless, saying that the vacation get together is solely one other instance of reflecting “all kinds of specific groups” in metropolis authorities.
“We make space and spaces for all kinds of specific groups in the city and city government,” Worrell stated in a press release. “This is no different, and the Elected Officials of Color has been around for more than a decade.”
Of the town worker who despatched the e-mail, Worrell stated, “Denise has a strong working relationship with the Council and our office. As she said in her follow-up email, she meant no ill will.”
In an e-mail to DosSantos and her colleagues, Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, who describes herself as an African immigrant and Muslim-American lady, was extra candid, saying that there’s “no need for apologies at all.”
“Your email should not offend anyone and there is absolutely no confusion,” Fernandes Anderson wrote. “Just like there are groups that meet based on shared interests or cultural backgrounds, it’s completely natural for elected officials of color to gather for a holiday celebration.”
She added, “Many groups celebrate and come together in various ways, and it’s not about excluding anyone. Instead, it’s about creating spaces for like-minded individuals to connect and support each other.”
Further, Fernandes Anderson described the Wu administration’s effort to “organize a holiday celebration specific to elected officials of color” as “commendable.”
The mayor’s choice to host an unique get together just isn’t typical of previous administrations, in response to Michael McCormack, an legal professional who served 5 phrases on the City Council.
If former mayors Tom Menino or Ray Flynn have been to carry a vacation get together, for instance, he stated, the invitation would have been despatched to the whole City Council.
“The problem is that Boston and race, unfortunately, are synonymous,” McCormack stated. “I’m just hoping it was a mistake. It’s not something that anyone in the mayor’s office should be proud of.”
Ricardo Patrón, a Wu spokesman, stated Wednesday’s vacation get together is only one of many which are happening this month.
The mayor, an Asian-American lady, as an elected official of colour, was requested to host the annual vacation get together for the Electeds of Color group, Patrón stated, noting that the host and site modifications yearly.
He stated there’s a bigger vacation get together subsequent week that’s open to all Wu’s cupboard members, metropolis councilors and the Boston state delegation on the State House.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”