Allyson Friedman, a professor at Hunter College, identified herself as the person heard making racist remarks during a February 10 virtual meeting of New York City's School District 3 Community Education Council. The incident has drawn significant attention as the university and community leaders respond to what officials have branded deeply offensive and harmful comments.
The remarks came while an eighth-grade student from the Community Action School was speaking about not wanting to lose her school—one of three Upper West Side schools under consideration for possible relocation or closure by the Department of Education. The remarks occurred during a hybrid meeting at the Joan of Arc school building at 154 West 93rd Street, with many participants joining via Zoom. A voice identified as Friedman's was heard saying: "They're too dumb to know they're in a bad school. If you train a Black person well enough, they'll know to use the back. You don't have to tell them anymore." Participants on the Zoom call visibly reacted with shock and disgust at the comments.
Friedman said she was attempting to explain the concept of systemic racism by referencing a historical example during a side conversation, and that an inadvertent unmute caused the remarks to be captured. She said the comments were not directed at the student speaker and added that she immediately sent written apologies to Superintendent Reginald Higgins, the Community Action School, and the Community Education Council. In her public apology, Friedman stated: "Regardless of context, my words were wrong and caused real harm. I take full responsibility for their impact, and I am deeply sorry to the students, families, educators, and community members who were hurt."
Hunter College confirmed that it is reviewing the situation under its applicable conduct and nondiscrimination policies. A Hunter College spokesperson confirmed that Friedman is an employee and called the remarks "abhorrent." District interim Superintendent Dr. Reginald Higgins condemned the statements as "racially offensive and rooted in anti-Blackness," saying they demeaned a predominantly Black and Latinx school community and caused real harm to those present. The situation continues to draw community response and scrutiny from both the university and education officials.