New York’s Democrat Governor, Kathy Hochul, said black kids in the Bronx don’t know what the word “computer” is while speaking in Los Angeles this week.
Hochul made the racist statement at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles.
Watch:
OMG HAHAHA Governor Kathy Hochul thinks black people don't know what a computer is. pic.twitter.com/TSjMLmiOAc
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) May 7, 2024
From the Daily Caller:
Hochul was speaking about her desire to create diverse workforces in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence (AI) while speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference, according to the New York Post. The governor’s remarks were quickly met with criticism from Democratic lawmakers in the Bronx, who defended the children in their borough.
“Right now we have, you know, young black kids growing up in the Bronx who don’t even know what the word ‘computer’ is,” Hochul said. “They don’t know, they don’t know these things. And I want the world opened up to all of them because when you have their diverse voices innovating solutions through technology, then you’re really addressing societies’ broader challenges.”
Kathy Hochul’s statement drew instant backlash on Social Media.
Deeply disturbed by @GovKathyHochul’s recent remarks and the underlying perception that she has of Black & brown children from the BX.
— Assembly Member Karines Reyes, R.N. (@KarinesReyes87) May 6, 2024
Our children are bright, brilliant, extremely capable, and more than deserving of any opportunities that are extended to other kids.
Do better. https://t.co/4nZbNiugeu
I’m deeply troubled by the recent statements made by @GovKathyHochul
— NYS Assembly Member John Zaccaro Jr (@JZforNY) May 6, 2024
The underlying perception conveyed about Black and brown children from the Bronx is not only disheartening but also deeply concerning.
Full statement below. https://t.co/8pUhyF59Ad pic.twitter.com/tseTWJQegh
Hochul was forced to back pedal.
She told the New York Post that she “misspoke” and regrets it, but then went on to try and justify why she said it.
“I misspoke and I regret it,” Hochul told the New York Post. “Of course Black children in the Bronx know what computers are — the problem is that they too often lack access to the technology needed to get on track to high-paying jobs in emerging industries like AI. That’s why I’ve been focused on increasing economic opportunity since Day One of my Administration.”
