To not be ok with race-based segregation?

yes because she is entitled to have only black people at one of the parties she is hosting - maybe so they can talk about issues that impact on them and the black electorate while having a glass of wine - I really do not see the problem

And you don't think that this is related to giving elected representatives of colour a space to talk about things that effect them which aren't going to have an impact on white elected representatives? I mean, it's hardly difficult to grasp.

@ghostyslovesheets the mayor in this case is Asian, not black.

I think she invited Asians and black people only, no whites.

How it got into the media was that she invited all of the group that worked together including the white people. She sent the email to all by mistake. She didn't want to invite the white people.

Then she took the invites back from the white people. The white people in the group were quoted in the media as being upset, and seeing what happened as "divisive"

To be fair if they had gone they could have gently explained to the non white people that racism doesn't exist anymore, over a lovely glass of Chablis.

Are you just being obtuse? The very first post said people of color- black, asian etc.

Why don't you write the mayor and express your disdain that she disinvited people who were not part of the focal group, who were invited in error?

@Myfabby there is a reason that is story about the "mayor in Boston" is in the news everywhere.

It's on a lot of news sites now.

Most people don't get uninvited because they are white.

It is unusual

well exactly - I mean isn't not a party if one white bloke isn't talking over everyone - I'm sure those disinvited will be fine and the BAME people will have a night off from having to talk to white people about racism - I hope they have a blast - I know I am expected to be outraged by this but I am not - I back her 100%

And then if there were any disagreements that racism doesn't exist the white people could have explained that the people of colour are just hysterical, frothing at the mouth and aggressive and if they were just a bit quieter and more agreeable everyone (aka the white people) would be happier

See also: plenty of threads on the black MN forum...

I agree with you completely. It's awful, unfair and segregational. As are black only sororities, immigrants, private schools and MM.

you omitted the pitchforks and mob action. People of colour bingo complete!

It's called derailing the thread rather than listening to other peoples views or trying to understand why other people might not feel the same as you.

I can't imagine why anyone would have so much trouble just trying, for one second, to understand what it might be like to be in a minority - or to accept that oppression is real and exists every day for some people. Much better to keep shouting 'it's wrong' very loudly

For the same reason that it's ok for women to have women-only meetings, for gay people to have gay-people-only meetings etc. If you don't understand why people without a particular privilege need to sometimes have space and time away from people who do have that privilege then you simply have no idea how privileged you are.

If you don't understand why people without a particular privilege need to sometimes have space and time away from people who do have that privilege then look at this thread! It’s all the evidence you’d need to see why such groups exist.

I also lean towards the view that shouting about the actions of a black woman repeatedly with ' you are wrong, it's wrong, admit you are wrong, it's bad, white peoples feels where hurt' online is also oppressive - as would be constant references to 'well black people do THIS and it's just as bad' 'Look at this I saw on Youtube it's just as bad'.

@YireosDodeAver you said women are allowed to have women only meetings.

Are they allowed to have women only meetings at a place of work though, like this incident?

These people all worked together on the council. She invited all of the workers, then specifically uninvited the white people.

@Queucumber you are not allowed by law to discriminate by race at a place of work.

These people all worked together.

That is why this mayor is facing huge backlash

I'd like to say I'm flabbergasted that people are really creating the false equivalence between the rightness of a black only sorority as opposed to a white only one, but given the state of this site recently I can't say it has come as a surprise.

And a false equivalence is precisely what it is. An exclusive black-only sorority is not the same thing as an exclusive white-only one. Anyone in any doubt of this, or who persists in seeing the two issues as precisely the same with no nuances or differing variables dividing the two, is either painfully ignorant or being wilfully obtuse.

Black sorority members were strictly a minority, if not banned outright, until very recently. Also, sororities are often very closely tied up with economic privilege. Those who were 'banned' were those who were statistically far less likely ever to have been members in the first place. And in the US, PoC are one group who are less likely to be economically privileged.

What is the need for an all-white sorority serving the dominant and more powerful race? Who needs the safety and protection of such a space?

Apply to the same question as to the need for an all-black sorority for those who are not racially privileged and have suffered oppression and racism because of their skin pigmentation. Why would they need the safety, protection and shared experience afforded by that space?

Are those needs exactly the same, and is anyone who suggests otherwise 'racist?' Dear gods. The ignorance is almost painful.

It’s ludicrous. The mayor is allowed to have parties and invite whoever she likes. It’s not a work event.

Michelle Wu made history in 2021 after being elected as mayor of Boston, becoming the first woman and person of colour elected to the position in almost 200 years. 200 years without a woman or a person of colour. I’d say they really need to be having those parties.

@Mooshamoo just to reassure you, given how upset you are on behalf of the white city councillors of Boston - a quick google will tell you this:

It's an annual even that one one has ever had an issue with
The email was sent mistakenly by an AID not the mayor - a follow up was sent 15 mins later addressing the error - and apologising.

According to the Mail (of all papers) the poor white staff responded with quotes such as 'there was no apology needed' ' it would take more than that to offend me' and 'lots of people hold different parties for different groups - it's a non issue'

hope that helps you feel better for them.

Exactly

It's rather ludicrous to see people bleating on about "not discriminating by race at work" when you are talking about a position that's only been held by white men for 200 years

Falling in love with so many on this thread today.

My boyfriend will not be amused😂

I am totally disgusted by some of the racist views on here and I am actually quite angry about it. I can’t even imagine how a POC must feel to go through this shit every day. If people can’t see the need for minority groups to have things for themselves then I really can’t see an end to discrimination.

I would love to see a day where we don’t need support groups for minorities, where big company’s and public services don’t need an inclusivity or diversity department but from reading many of the views on here today I can’t see that happening.

If I come across a thread in black Mumsnetters I do sometimes want to add to the thread but there is sometimes something in the OP asking for non black people to not respond, so I don’t, not even to go on and say something positive because they need that space to vent, chat, rant etc.

White privilege is very much a thing and I know I have white privilege. It is just a shame that people can equate one racist comment against a white person as being the same as a life time of racist comments to a black person, or a gathering for solely black people verses a gathering for solely white people.It in no way compares.

I’m all for sending her some Ferrero Rocher for her pyramids - I’m assuming it’s like an Ambassador’s reception but with smaller arrangements.

Mme, with these Rocher you're really spoiling us.

This has been such a great thread honestly. Wit and lucid articulation from some fab women! My faith in humanity is restored...

@ghostyslovesheets you write very selectively to suit what you want to say.

I see you selectively only quoted the white people who said that they weren't upset at being uninvited.

I see you left out the white people who said that they WERE upset at being univited, and that they found it divisive