Problem: Gov. Kathy Hochul advises black church members not to spend checks on alcohol
Kathy Hochul’s comments to a predominantly black audience about not using government checks for alcohol raised eyebrows and sparked controversy (“Government Backlash,” September 11).
Had a Republican governor made such a statement, the public outcry would likely have been intense. But because she’s a liberal Democrat, it seems to have flown under the radar. This sort of ignorance, one could argue, is quite reckless. It would be wise for black voters to remember her remarks as election season approaches.
As someone who identifies as Irish Catholic, Hochul should be more aware of stereotypes and the potential impact of her words.
Suggesting to a congregation that rebate checks should not be spent on “Colt 45” seems, well, misplaced. Perhaps it’s not the best idea to give sermons on this topic.
Some have pointed out that Hochul’s choice of words was, at the very least, questionable. It reminded one commentator of President Biden’s previous remarks, which seemed to gauge student intelligence based on their socioeconomic background—a view that was equally unsettling.
Interestingly enough, it seems unlikely that Hochul will lose any support from her likely voter base, despite the backlash. Many black church leaders often have sway in guiding their congregations to vote for Democrats, and it appears such comments are frequently overlooked.
Furthermore, Hochul’s admonition to the black churchgoers to prioritize buying food for their children over liquor did not come with any form of apology. It raises questions about the assumption that she knows best how these communities should spend their money.
Critics from the black community express concern that this is indicative of how Democrats, once in power, may sometimes act as if they own the loyalty of their constituents.
Problem: MSNBC analyst Matt Dowd was dismissed after insinuating Charlie Kirk’s rhetoric led to violence
To be honest, I can’t say I’ve ever been impressed by anything from MSNBC. Recently, political analyst Matthew Dowd was let go for making insensitive remarks regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk, suggesting that political rhetoric can lead to violence.
Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt CNN to reevaluate their own lineup as well, given the presence of commentators like Van Jones.
Dowd’s comments about another American’s shooting were widely condemned. It’s worth noting Charlie Kirk, a conservative voice, championed freedom of speech—something that should be protected. On the other hand, Dowd, lost his position for aligning with a narrative that could be seen as incendiary.
Several have voiced their approval of MSNBC’s decision to fire Dowd, arguing that he deserved it for his careless remarks.
