Allyson Friedman’s hot-mic remark at UWS school meeting draws sharp condemnation
allyson friedman drew widespread condemnation after a hot-mic comment during a Community Education Council meeting on Feb. 10, and she apologized on Feb. 21. City education officials, community leaders and Hunter College have all responded to the remark as officials weigh next steps.
What happened at the Feb. 10 CEC meeting
The incident occurred during a hybrid Community Education Council meeting for School District 3 on Feb. 10, a session focused on possible relocation or closure of three Upper West Side schools: The Center School, The Riverside School for Makers and Artists, and the Community Action School. Some participants were in the Joan of Arc school building at 154 West 93rd Street and many others joined on Zoom.
As an eighth-grade student from the Community Action School spoke about not wanting to lose her school, a person whose microphone was live said, “They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school. ” The voice continued, “If you train a Black person well enough, they’ll know to use the back. You don’t have to tell them anymore. ” There were a handful of words that could not be made out between the two sentences. Officials posted a video of the meeting on Wednesday, and the comment prompted a response from the city Department of Education.
Allyson Friedman apologizes in emailed statement
On Saturday, Feb. 21, Allyson Friedman sent a statement by email at 6 p. m. ET that was shared publicly at 8 p. m. ET acknowledging she made the remarks at the Upper West Side schools meeting on Feb. 10 and expressing remorse. In the statement she wrote she was “deeply sorry to the students, families, educators, and community members who were hurt. ”
Friedman described the meeting as including “a discussion about systemic racism and educational equity, with references to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the work of Carter G. Woodson, as well as school closures. ” She said that, “Separately during the meeting, as a parent, I was trying to explain the concept of systemic racism by referencing a historical example. Due to an inadvertent unmute, part of that conversation was captured. ”
She added: “My remarks were not directed at the student speaker and they do not reflect my beliefs or values. 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. I immediately sent written apologies to Dr. Higgins, the Community Action School, and the Community Education Council. I support the Community Action School and its mission, and I regret adding any pain or distraction at a moment when the community’s concerns about the DOE’s school-closure process deserved full attention. I am committed to accountability and repairing harm. ”
Earlier statements from Friedman included an attempt to clarify her remarks: “My complete comments make clear these abhorrent views are not my own, nor were they directed at any student or group, ” she said. “I fully support these courageous students in their efforts to stop school closures. However, I recognize these comments caused harm and pain, while that was not my intent I do truly apologize. ”
Hunter College and local officials react
Hunter College has said it is aware of the “abhorrent remarks” and that it is reviewing the situation under the university’s applicable conduct and nondiscrimination policies. The college added, “In service to Hunter College, we expect our community members’ actions and words to comport with our institutional identity, values, and policies. ” More than 17, 000 undergraduates and 5, 500 graduates are enrolled at Hunter College.
City education officials and community leaders described the comment as blatantly racist and harmful. The city council education chair said she was “deeply disturbed by the blatantly racist and harmful remarks made during the CEC3 meeting, ” and the Manhattan borough president called the remarks “outrageous, ” saying it was particularly despicable they were uttered while children were giving testimony and thereby exposed to that hatred. Education officials were left profoundly disturbed and students on the Zoom call were stunned.
Context: Woodson quote and the school-closure debate
The remark followed remarks by neighborhood Superintendent Reginald Higgins about Carter G. Woodson. Woodson wrote in his 1933 book The Mis-education of the Negro: “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. ” Friedman appeared to be referencing that historical quote in her attempt to explain systemic racism before the inadvertent unmute.
The Feb. 10 meeting took place as officials have been mulling plans to shut down or relocate schools in Manhattan District 3, a debate that has drawn parents, teachers and students to testify at Community Education Council sessions.
What comes next
Hunter College has said it is reviewing the incident under its conduct and nondiscrimination policies, and Friedman has said she is committed to accountability and repairing harm. The Community Education Council has posted the meeting video and the Department of Education has registered a response to the remark. Further administrative steps by the college and any community follow-up tied to the District 3 school-closure discussion are the next confirmed developments.
