Denise DosSantos, the mayor’s director of City Council relations, told the body’s “honorable members” that, “on behalf of Mayor Michelle Wu,” she was cordially inviting each 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 15 minutes later, however, DosSantos sent out a follow-up email to city councilors, apologizing for the prior email, which was apparently only meant for those who were invited. The body includes seven white councilors and six of color. …

The mayor’s decision to host an exclusive party is not typical of past administrations, according to Michael McCormack, an attorney who served five terms on the City Council.

If former mayors Tom Menino or Ray Flynn were to hold a holiday party, for example, he said, the invitation would have been sent to the entire City Council.

[Nothing reflects the spirit of Christmas than, er … [checks notes] … separating people by ethnicity in social gatherings. Wu’s defenders claim there’s nothing untoward about a party of this type, but just imagine if a Boston mayor had decided to hold a whites-only party among city council members and other elected officials. — Ed]