NY Gov Apologizes After Saying That Black Kids In The Bronx “Don’t Even Know What The Word ‘Computer’ Is”

The New York Times reports:

At the Milken Institute Global Conference, the annual gathering of billionaires and business leaders in California, Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York was given a spotlight on Monday to expound on her new artificial intelligence initiative. In an exchange with the moderator, Jonathan Capehart, Ms. Hochul said that “right now we have young Black kids growing up in the Bronx who don’t even know what the word ‘computer’ is.”

The governor on Monday evening expressed contrition over her word choice, saying that she “misspoke and I regret it,” adding that her focus was on increasing economic opportunity. “Of course Black children in the Bronx know what computers are,” she said in a statement. “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 A.I.”

Read the full article. Bronx Democrats are furious.

Deeply disturbed by @GovKathyHochul’s recent remarks and the underlying perception that she has of Black & brown children from the BX.

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

— Assembly Member Karines Reyes, R.N. (@KarinesReyes87) May 6, 2024

Governor Hochul’s remarks regarding young black children in The Bronx were harmful, deeply misinformed, and genuinely appalling.

Full statement: https://t.co/KE0iuoTPs9 pic.twitter.com/vBZETcJ70P

— Amanda Septimo (@AmandaSeptimo) May 6, 2024