Black children in the Bronx don’t know what computers are. Those are the exact words from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who faced fierce and immediate backlash for the racially insensitive comments.
The “soft bigotry of low expectations” of minority children was shown to be alive and well during her recent appearance at the Milken Institute Global Conference in California discussing New York’s Artificial Intelligence program.
Hochul’s remarks were intended to generate publicity for the state's $400 million "Empire AI" initiative and instead created a firestorm of sharp criticism from within her own party leaving many with mouths agape.
“It’s sort of our attitude," Hochul said. "We will be the best, we will be the first, and I want others to follow, because right now we have young 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 these things."
Her remarks are reminiscent of when President Biden said in 2019, “Poor kids are just as bright and talented as white kids.” Swift and damning criticism was sent the Governor’s way by fellow democrats, many minority legislators themselves, expressing deep offense and disappointment at the Governor’s remarks.
Assembly Member Karines Reyes who is Afro-Latina said she was “deeply disturbed” by Hochul’s remarks. "Our children are bright, brilliant, extremely capable, and more than deserving of any opportunities that are extended to other kids. Do better."
South Bronx Assembly member Amanda Septimo, who is black, called the comments “harmful, deeply misinformed and generally appalling”. Septimo said on X that, “repeating harmful stereotypes about one of our most underserved communities only perpetuates systems of abuse.”
After immediate backlash, Hochul was quick to completely walk back her remarks. The new statement offers an entirely different premise, not just a nuanced clarification.
"Of course Black children in the Bronx know what computers are," Hochul said. "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."
The irony of the hypocrisy that the democrat governor is able to walk back her remarks so easily is not lost on Republicans. To some, the apology seems too easy after saying something as inflammatory as black children are ignorant of the existence of computers. It seems clear that any republican that made similar remarks would be called on to resign at most and go on an “apology listening tour” at least. Kevin Dalton echoes this sentiment posting on X, “Young black kids growing up in the Bronx who don’t even know what the word ‘computer’ is,” - New York Governor Kathy Hochul, saying something that would get a Republican instantly canceled, but it’s (D)ifferent.