New York Governor Kathy Hochul has expressed regret over an offhand comment she made during an interview at the Milken Institute Global Conference in California, where she suggested that Black children in the Bronx do not know what the word “computer” means.
“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,” Hochul said while on stage at the Milken Institute Global Conference.
The remark, which was not addressed during the interview, was made while discussing the expansion of economic opportunities in artificial intelligence for low-income communities.
Governor Hochul’s comment drew immediate criticism from political leaders in New York, including Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo, a Bronx Democrat, who described the remark as “harmful, deeply misinformed, and genuinely appalling.”
In response to the backlash, Hochul issued a statement later on Monday, acknowledging that she misspoke and expressing her regret.
In her statement, Hochul clarified that Black children in the Bronx are indeed aware of what computers are, but the real issue lies in their lack of access to the technology needed to pursue high-paying jobs in emerging industries like artificial intelligence.
She claimed that since the beginning of her administration, she has been focused on increasing economic opportunities and will continue to fight to ensure that every New Yorker has a chance at securing a well-paying job.
New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat who represents the Bronx in the Legislature, came to Hochul’s defense as her remarks began to gain traction online.
While acknowledging that the governor’s words were “inartful and hurtful,” Heastie expressed his belief that her intentions were not malicious and that she genuinely wants to see all students excel.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.