A Christmas party for “electeds of color” was accidentally invited to all councilors, which caused controversy inside Boston City Council.
Unexpected uproar erupted around Boston City Council after an email invitation to a Christmas dinner reserved for “electeds of color” was accidentally forwarded to every councilor. When Mayor Michelle Wu’s director of City Council relations, Denise DosSantos, first sent out the invitation, it set off a chain reaction.
On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at City Hall in Boston, Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, center, celebrates with her supporters following the council’s approval to convene a hearing on renaming Faneuil Hall. The namesake of the building, Peter Faneuil, has been denounced by Fernandes Anderson in a resolution, calling him a “white supremacist, a slave trader, and a slave owner who contributed nothing recognizable to the ideal of democracy.”
DosSantos promptly apologized, outlining the mistake and expressing remorse for any offense the email may have caused. Councilors’ reactions to the occurrence were conflicted, prompting inquiries regarding the nature of the invitation-only gathering.
Frank Baker, the outgoing city councilor, called the discriminatory decision “unfortunate and divisive.” He claimed that he wasn’t particularly upset, saying, “You’re going to have to do much more than not invite me to a party in order to offend me.”
In support of the party, Councilor Brian Worrell emphasized that it represents “all kinds of specific groups” in local administration. He mentioned that these kinds of gatherings have been organized by the Elected Officials of Color organization for more than ten years.
African immigrant and Muslim-American councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson backed the idea of organizations coming together because of commonalities in interests or upbringing. She emphasized the goal of providing areas for like-minded people without keeping anyone out.
The action was condemned by some councilors, while it was supported as “commendable” by others. The mayor was requested to organize the Christmas party for the Electeds of Color organization, Wu’s spokesperson Ricardo Patrón confirmed, stressing that similar inclusive gatherings were planned. The mayor is an elected official of color.
The choice to throw an exclusive celebration, nevertheless, is different from previous years’ norms, as some have voiced worries about the possible polarization in a community already experiencing racial tensions. The episode calls into question the proper balance between inclusion and exclusivity in public gatherings as well as the possible effects on council unity.
