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A Hunter College professor who sparked widespread outrage after she was caught making a “blatantly racist” comment during a New York City public schools video meeting is being reviewed by her employer — but may keep her job thanks to her cushy tenure.
Allyson Friedman, an associate professor of biology at the Manhattan CUNY school, came under fire after her shocking remarks were caught on a hot mic, interrupting a black eighth-grader who was raising concerns about her Upper West Side school possibly facing a shutdown during a Community Education Council meeting on Feb. 10.
“They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school,” Friedman was heard saying while her mic was unknowingly unmuted, according to a recording of the meeting posted online.
“If you train a black person well enough, they’ll know to use the back,” she said. “You don’t have to tell them anymore.”
She seemed to be referring to a comment made by Reginald Higgins, the school district’s interim acting superintendent, who spoke about scholar Carter G. Woodson, the father of black history, earlier in the meeting.
“If you make a man think that he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told,” Woodson wrote in his 1933 book “The Mis-education of the Negro.”
Two other adults in the virtual meeting quickly called out the professor, who was attending as a parent of a public school student.
“Allyson Friedman, what you’re saying is absolutely hearable here. You’ve got to stop,” one man snapped while others sat in shock, their hands clamped over their mouths.
The entire meeting went dead silent for about 10 seconds before the moderators apologized to the student and urged her to continue.
Backlash to Friedman’s remarks was swift once the video clip circulated online.
“I am deeply disturbed by the blatantly racist and harmful remarks made during the CEC3 [Community Education Council for School District 3] meeting…,” said Councilwoman Rita Joseph, who chairs the education committee.
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman Sigal called the comments “outrageous.”
“It is particularly despicable that these vile words were uttered while children were giving testimony at the meeting, exposing them to this hatred,” he said.
Hunter College, meanwhile, confirmed that it was “aware” of the “abhorrent remarks” made by its employee during the meeting.
“Even as these remarks were made in the individual’s role as a private citizen and we understand that the district is conducting an investigation into the matter, Hunter College is reviewing the situation under the university’s applicable conduct and nondiscrimination policies,” the school wrote in a statement obtained by The Post.
The college assured that it will abide by its “enduring commitment to sustain an inclusive educational environment that is free of discrimination of any kind, in which people of all identities will feel welcome and can thrive.”
It’s not immediately clear how Friedman’s tenure may impact the review, but it could make it difficult for her to be dismissed outright.
Many local leaders were floored that Friedman hadn’t faced any immediate consequences for her conduct.
“She still isn’t fired???” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. wrote on X.
“I’d love to see how CUNY deals with this and would love to see consequences for this racist Professor. Nothing happens to openly antisemitic Professors at CUNY. Happy to work together to hold CUNY accountable,” Councilwoman Inna Vernikov added.
“She shouldn’t be near any child at all. Her words are abhorrent and racist. I feel awful for all those children who witnessed this. Hunter shouldn’t allow her to continue in her role until a full investigation is complete,” United Jewish Teachers President Moshe Spern wrote.
Friedman offered an apology and claimed she was “trying to explain the concept of systemic racism by referencing a historical example” in a conversation with her child, who was in the room, when she accidentally unmuted herself.
“My remarks were not directed at the student speaker and they do not reflect my beliefs or values,” she said in a statement to the West Side Rag, which first reported on the comments.
“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.”
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