Newsom has made it no secret that he is running for president in two years. But now, according to Associated Press, he is taking heat from conservatives for some recent remarks while on his book tour. During a conversation with Atlanta's black mayor Andre Dickens (D), Newsom tried to relate in reference to his dyslexia.
"I'm not trying to impress you. I'm just trying to impress upon you. I'm like you. I’m no better than you. I'm a 960 SAT guy, and I'm not trying to offend anyone, trying to act all there if you've got 940,” stated Newsom.
His comments sparked protest from Republicans, including Nikki Minaj. She posted on X that Newsom’s way of “bonding with black people is to tell them how stupid he is and that he can’t read.”
Michael Austin is an ambassador for the Project 21: Black Leadership Network.
"He thought that because he has a 'D' next to his name, people will let it go. Black conservatives always talk about the stigma of low expectations, of racism, and Gavin Newsom proved us right by insinuating black Americans are dumb, they can't read, or things of that sort," states Austin.
Austin says that not only did he completely fail in trying to relate to black people, but he insulted them.
"He insulted us and then expected that we would still give him power, money, and authority as he plans for his presidential run,” says Austin.
He goes on to say that, unfortunately, this is “par for the course when it comes to Democrats.”
“They don't want to see people for the content of the character. They see skin color, and then they apply whatever stereotype they need to. One hundred years ago, it was that blacks were genetically inferior. Now, it's that blacks are inferior because of systemic racism,” states Austin. “Either way they don't want to give black Americans a hand up."
Some black politicians have come out in defense of Newsom. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) posted on X that “Black Americans aren’t your low bar. Stop using your mediocre academics as a way to patronize communities.”
According to CBS Atlanta, Dickens also spoke out saying that they do not need someone else to tell them to be offended.
