Cornel West, former presidential candidate and renowned professor at Harvard University, publicly criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom following a controversial statement in Atlanta. The incident occurred during a conversation between Newsom and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens last weekend. West argued that Governor Newsom's remarks touched upon sensitive issues of race and social prejudice.
In a podcast segment posted on his personal X account, Cornel West expressed his disapproval of the California Governor's mindset. West stated:
“When he thinks of Black people, he thinks of lower SAT scores. That mindset is at the core of white supremacy — the belief that Black people are less beautiful, less moral, less intelligent.”
Context of Newsom's Controversial Remarks
The criticized remarks originated from an event promoting his upcoming memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry.” During his discussion with Mayor Andre Dickens, Newsom shared his modest SAT score to demonstrate empathy with the audience. He asserted that he was no better than anyone else, having achieved only an SAT score of 960.
“I’m not trying to be impressive, I’m just trying to make the point that I’m like you. I’m not better than you. I’m a 960 SAT score guy.”
Governor Newsom also mentioned his dyslexia, which he was diagnosed with as a child, causing him significant difficulty in reading speeches or texts. He explained that the purpose of sharing this was to talk about his personal journey and efforts to overcome adversity. However, this phrasing met with opposition from several influential figures.
Wave of Reactions and the Governor's Response
Following the event, many politicians and public figures, such as Senator Tim Scott and rapper Nicki Minaj, commented on the incident. Many suggested that Newsom's statement could be interpreted as implying that the Black community has low academic scores. This sparked a fierce debate on social media platforms about the true meaning behind his words.
In response to the accusations of racial bias, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a strong rebuttal. He denied all allegations, asserting that he was merely sharing his personal story of overcoming dyslexia. He emphasized that this was a personal experience he had publicly discussed for many years with various audiences.
Newsom's spokesperson also defended the Governor, stating that negative interpretations were inaccurate. Currently, discussions surrounding these remarks continue to spread within U.S. political circles. The involved parties maintain differing views on the impact of statements concerning SAT scores and racial issues in Atlanta.
