Bronx leaders respond to Gov. Hochul's controversial comment on Black and brown kids in the borough

Assembly Member Karines Reyes and other Bronx elected officials spoke out in response.

Adolfo Carrion

May 7, 2024, 2:12 AM

Updated 198 days ago

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Local Bronx politicians are responding to Gov. Kathy Hochul's comment that struck a nerve with some of the borough's leaders.
The comment was made at an event where the topic was the future of high-tech jobs and AI.
"Right now we have... young Black kids growing up in the Bronx who don't even know what the word computer is," said Hochul.
Assembly Member Karines Reyes and other Bronx elected officials spoke out in response.
Gov. Kathy Hochul provided the following comment in response to the backlash:
"Earlier today, while discussing my commitment to expanding economic opportunity for communities of color, I misspoke and I regret it. Of course Black children in the Bronx know what computers are — 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, and will continue that fight to ensure every New Yorker has a shot at a good-paying job."