Over the weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom of California made a statement aimed at Atlanta voters, suggesting that his SAT score of 960 was due to dyslexia affecting his ability to read speeches. This comment, perceived by many as political pandering, particularly targeted black voters.
I’m not trying to impress you. I just want you to see that I’m not above you. I’m a person who scored 960 on the SAT. I’m doing my best, even if my score is 940. You’ve likely never seen me read a speech because I struggle with it. Maybe I’m in the wrong profession.
Not everyone was pleased, especially Cornel West, who called out what he viewed as racist condescension.
Interestingly, Newsom seemed quite capable when addressing a white audience, claiming he read a 260-page book in only 90 minutes.
“You’ve written a fantastic book, and I mean that sincerely,” Newsom remarked to his audience. The individual with dyslexia stated, “I completed it in an hour and a half, maybe two. Believe me, I’m not a fast reader, but I read it quickly… It’s an impressive work, about 260 pages over 18 chapters.”
Fact: I don’t have dyslexia. I read often, but I’ve never tackled 260 pages in 90 minutes.
But consider this version of Newsom… He tells the black audience: “I can’t read and my test scores are low!”
Yet, in front of a white crowd, he appears to possess remarkable speed reading skills.
Can anyone genuinely believe he struggles with dyslexia? Doubtful. He’s been a public figure for two decades, and now, as he runs for president, it seems he’s trying to downplay his privilege as a well-off white male facing “challenges.”
Oh, ignore my privileged upbringing and great hair. No, no, they don’t define me. My “disability” does. I’m just like you!
This situation may remind you of Joe Biden, who revealed a stuttering issue after decades in the spotlight. For years, we watched as he navigated the Senate without a verbal misstep. While not the sharpest, he was always smooth-talking.
Then, as he ages…
…he becomes fragile…
…and suddenly claims he’s a victim of stuttering, as if age is irrelevant.
When one journalist sought proof of Newsom’s dyslexia, the response was far from diplomatic.
Kamala Harris could back both claims, recalling, “When I worked at McDonald’s, Joe Biden came in, read the menu, and stammered. Gavin? He just pointed to what he wanted.”
She could have easily said this, and it would go unchallenged by the mainstream media.
