New York’s Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul has been forced to issue a groveling apology after she claimed during a public appearance that “black kids” don’t “even know what the word ‘computer’ is.”
Gov Hochul made the remark during an on-stage forum in California on Monday.
Videos of her comments have been spreading on social media, provoking a widespread backlash.
In a statement, Hochul said: “I regret it.”
She attempted to clarify the intent of her remark, alleging she was trying to highlight her focus on increasing economic opportunity for children in the Bronx.
The Bronx, which is represented by Democrat Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Richie Torres, Adriano Espaillat, and Jamaal Bowman, has the highest rate of poverty in New York City.
“Of course black children in the Bronx know what computers are,” Hochul’s apology 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.”
But despite her lackluster apology, residents and lawmakers alike have hit back.
New Yorkers argue that the Democrat governor is “disconnected from reality,” needs to “do better,” and “should resign in disgrace.”
Hochul was given the opportunity