Gov. Hochul 'regrets' saying black kids 'don't know what the word computer is'

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul apologized after being called out for comments about technology and children in low-income areas.

Promoting the state's $400 million “Empire AI” effort to fund artificial intelligence, Hochul was speaking at the Milken Institute's Global Conference in Los Angeles, California. But the Democrat came under fire after she claimed there were black kids in the Bronx who didn't know what the word “computer” meant.

“Now what we have is the money to build a phenomenal supercomputer that will be accessible to New York researchers, college students, attract more federal grants, and that's how we set the mark,” Hochul said. “No state has done this. In fact, I talk to a lot of other people who say, 'I wish my governor would have thought of this first.' I say, 'No, no, this is New York. We like to be the former,” with all due respect to you from other states.”

“It's kind of our attitude,” Jonathan Capehart, a black MSNBC host, told the moderator. “We're going to be the best, we're going to be the first, and I want them to follow, because right now we have black kids growing up in the Bronx who don't even know what the word 'computer' is. They don't know. They don't know this stuff.”

“Young black men growing up in the Bronx who don't even know what the word 'computer' is,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said, saying something that would get a Republican immediately fired up, but it's (D ) different. pic.twitter.com/zcntbt8fKg

— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) May 7, 2024

“I want the world to open up to all of them because when you have their diverse voices innovating solutions through technology, you're really addressing the broader challenges of society,” Hochul said.

Karines Reyes, a member of the New York State Assembly, was among the lawmakers and other Bronx officials who took offense at Hochul's comment. She said she was “deeply disturbed” by the governor's words and “the underlying perception he has of black and brown children in [the Bronx].”

“Our children are bright, brilliant, extremely capable and more than deserving of any opportunity extended to other children,” Reyes added. “Do better.”

“We have young black kids growing up in the Bronx; they don't even know what the word computer is. They don't know. They don't know these things.”

~ New York Governor Kathy Hochul

Despicable! Disgusting! Disturbing!

White liberal democrats are the enemy of blacks…. pic.twitter.com/mVjxElYjY6

— Vernon Jones (@VernonForGA) May 7, 2024

Bronx Democratic Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo blasted the comments as “harmful, deeply misinformed and truly appalling” in a statement.

“Repeating harmful stereotypes about one of our most underserved communities, while failing to acknowledge the state's ongoing institutional neglect, only perpetuates systems of abuse,” he added.

Governor Hochul's comments about black children in the Bronx were hurtful, deeply misinformed, and truly appalling.

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

— Amanda Septimo (@AmandaSeptimo) May 6, 2024

Hochul's former rival and former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin shared a response from former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines who wrote: “It's remarkable how out of touch the people who are supposed to lead this country are.” .

Hochul expressed his “regret” in a statement to the New York Post, claiming he “misspoken” during his speech.

“I said the wrong thing and I'm sorry,” he said. “Sure, black kids in the Bronx know what computers are; the problem is that they too often don't have access to the technology needed to land high-paying jobs in emerging industries like AI. That's why I focused on increasing economic opportunity since day one of my administration.”

Despite her regret, Hochul was buried under criticism for her viral comment.

Charles Payne, host of Fox Business said to X, “Insulting but typical.”

“Why do white liberals think so little of African Americans?” Texas Senator Ted Cruz he asked.

“Our children, far from being underestimated, are the epitome of brilliance, resilience and untapped potential,” wrote Assemblyman John Zaccaro.

“They are not only capable, but deserving of every opportunity afforded to their counterparts. It is disheartening to witness such a portrayal that undermines their capabilities and aspirations,” added the Bronx Democrat.

Rep. Amanda Septimo, another Bronx Democrat, said, “I would invite Governor Hochul to visit us in the Bronx to experience firsthand the intelligence, resilience and joy that radiates from the children and residents of the Bronx every day”.

Senior Staff Writer
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida, where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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