The mayor of Boston, Michelle Wuhas advocated the celebration of the Elected Officials of Color Holiday Party, which are Christmas parties for elected officials organized by some public administrations in the United States and attended by people from ethnic minorities.
The scandal broke when a Boston City Council official Denise Dos Santos, sent invitations by mail to all members of the local council and then pointed out that only those who were not white could attend. Seven of the 13 city councilors were expelled.
“I accidentally sent it to everyone and I apologize if my email may have caused offense or created that impression. “I’m sorry for the confusion I caused,” DosSantos apologized.
As soon as the news broke, dozens of social media users attacked the 38-year-old councilor of Taiwanese descent, the first woman to hold the post. Many called for his resignation because of “racist” behavior. However, Wu stated on the local news channel WCVB that they had “one-on-one conversations with everyone so people understand that entering the email field was really just an honest mistake.”
“I look forward to celebrating with everyone at the parties we will host in addition to this one,” he emphasized.
Frank Bakerone of the ousted councilors, admitted that he found the situation divisive: “But what is being done?” To offend me, they have to do a lot more than not inviting me to a party.
Another city councilor Brian Worrelltold the Boston Herald that the Elected Officials of Color group has existed for more than a decade: “We give room and space to all kinds of specific groups in the city and in city government.”
Other city councilors also tried to make light of the matter. Ricardo Arroyo He said: “It is not intended to be divisive or cause tension in any way, and in my experience most of my colleagues are aware that the EOC (Elected Officials of Color) exists.” “I think someone wanted something inflammatory out of it “And he has clearly succeeded,” he concluded.
The mayor’s spokesman, Ricardo Patronexplains to Boston Herald that the party was held in a municipal building, the Parkman House, but the city council did not fund the event.
Massachusetts state law strictly prohibits racial discrimination in public places and buildings, such as the Parkman House, a National Historic Landmark and the former home of a doctor murdered in 1849.