Some critics of Hochul’s comments about black children in the Bronx

Gov. Kathy Hochul was trying to do damage control Tuesday after suggesting Monday that some black children in the Bronx don’t know what a computer is.

“We will be the best. We’ll be the first, and I want others to follow because right now we have, you know, young black kids growing up in the Bronx who don’t even know what the word computer is. They don’t know it,” Hochul said Monday at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills.

“They don’t know these things and I want the world to open up to all of them, because when their diverse voices innovate solutions through technology, then you’re really addressing the broader challenges of society,” Hochul added.

She was promoting New York’s foray into artificial intelligence research through the state budget’s newly created consortium called Empire AI, promising that the multimillion-dollar investment would do wonders for the next generation.

But the comments drew sharp criticism from some Bronx residents.

Bronx Democratic state Rep. Amanda Septimo called the governor’s comments “harmful, deeply misinformed and truly appalling.”

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

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

-Amanda Septimo (@AmandaSeptimo) May 6, 2024

Karines Reyes is a Democratic state lawmaker who represents the Parkchester and Castle Hill neighborhoods in the Bronx. She said in a statement on X that she was “deeply disturbed.”

Deeply disturbed by @GovKathyHochul‘s recent remarks and underlying perception she has of black and brown children in BX.

Our children are bright, extremely capable and fully deserving of all the opportunities afforded to other children.

Do better. https://t.co/4nZbNiugeu

– Karines Reyes, member of the Assembly, RN (@KarinesReyes87) May 6, 2024

Bronx Democratic Sen. Gustavo Rivera said he didn’t think Hochul’s remarks “came from a bad place.”

“I hope she gets a chance to explain more and let us know what she really meant, but they certainly weren’t very astute comments,” Rivera said.

Although Hochul did not address reporters in person in Albany on Tuesday, she apologized in a statement to NY1.

“In discussing my commitment to increasing economic opportunities for communities of color, I misspoke and I regret it. “Of course, 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 get good-paying jobs in emerging sectors like AI.” Hochul said.

Hochul’s legislative allies largely gave him the benefit of the doubt.

“She said she misspoke. She said it was ingenious,” state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins ​​said at a news conference.

“Action matters and I know we all understand that if we are not prepared to invest in our students today for tomorrow, we will not be the leaders we know we need to be,” Stewart-Cousins ​​said.

Mayor Eric Adams strongly defended the governor Tuesday at City Hall.

“I know his heart. I know what she intended to say. She wasn’t trying to be disrespectful,” Adams said.

“Those who want to be the word police in this business, go for it. The people of the Bronx knew where his heart was. She sincerely wants to uplift people,” Adams said.

Other Bronx elected officials said they want more commitment to education.

“She can make up for it by giving more money to the Bronx for (science, technology, engineering and math) programs,” said Bronx Democratic state Sen. Nathalia Fernandez.

Hochul and state lawmakers have until June 6 before the legislative session officially closes.