Incoming Malden Councillor Apologizes For 'Racist' Costume

MALDEN, MA — A newly elected at-large city councillor apologized for a Halloween costume that she said reinforced "racist stereotypes."

Karen Colón Hayes said she wore the costume in 2012. She did not specify how she dressed up, but indicated it "promoted an inaccurate, stereotypical portrayal of an Indigenous person," according to a statement on her Facebook page.

"Dressing up as another culture was racist," Hayes wrote. "It does not matter what my intentions were; there is no excuse for reinforcing racist stereotypes."

"I am deeply sorry," she continued.

Hayes, one of two freshmen at-large councillors, previously served as the director of Human Services and Community Outreach for the city. She has also been a member of the Malden Cultural Council and worked at the Malden Teen Enrichment Center.

Over the past decade, Hayes said she has engaged in anti-racism training sessions and worked to "dismantle racism."

"I promise to continue this work and to continue to do better," she wrote.