Allyson Friedman Sparks Outrage After Hot Mic Remark at UWS Schools Meeting; College Reviewing ‘Abhorrent’ Comments

Allyson Friedman was at the center of a political and community firestorm after a hot mic captured what have been described as blatantly racist comments during a Community Education Council meeting on Feb. 10, touching off formal reviews and strong condemnations as families and officials reacted.

What happened at the Feb. 10 CEC3 meeting

The incident occurred during a hybrid Community Education Council for School District 3 meeting on Feb. 10 that addressed potential relocation or closure of three Upper West Side schools: The Center School, The Riverside School for Makers and Artists, and the Community Action School. Participants included parents, students, and teachers; some attended in person at the Joan of Arc school building at 154 West 93rd Street and many joined on Zoom. A video of the meeting was posted by the CEC on its site on Wednesday.

While an eighth-grade student from the Community Action School was speaking about not wanting to lose her school, a live microphone captured a person’s remarks that stunned listeners: "They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school, " the voice said. "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 were not able to be made out between the first and second sentence quoted above.

Allyson Friedman: apology and acknowledgment

Allyson Friedman, an associate professor at Hunter College, acknowledged she made the remarks and issued apologies. On Saturday, February 21, an update at 8 p. m. noted that she had sent a statement by email at 6 p. m. that day acknowledging she was the one who made the remarks at the Feb. 10 meeting and saying she was "deeply sorry to the students, families, educators, and community members who were hurt. "

In her statement Friedman said the meeting included discussion about systemic racism and educational equity, with references to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the work of Carter G. Woodson. She said that, separately, as a parent she was trying to explain the concept of systemic racism by referencing a historical example and that an inadvertent unmute captured part of that conversation. 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. "

Earlier remarks attributed to Friedman at the meeting were explicit: her mic was live when she said, "They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school, " followed by, "If you train a Black person well enough, they’ll know to use the back. You don’t have to tell them anymore. " She also later sought to clarify and apologize, stating, "My complete comments make clear these abhorrent views are not my own, nor were they directed at any student or group, " and, "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. "

Official reactions and community response

Education officials and community leaders responded with sharp condemnation. The city council education chair said, "I am deeply disturbed by the blatantly racist and harmful remarks made during the CEC3 [Community Education Council for School District 3] meeting... " The Manhattan borough president described the remarks as "outrageous, " adding, "It is particularly despicable that these vile words were uttered while children were giving testimony at the meeting, exposing them to this hatred. " Students on the Zoom call were left stunned, and education officials expressed profound disturbance.

Hunter College reaction and institutional review

Hunter College described the comments as "abhorrent" and said it was reviewing the situation under the university’s applicable conduct and nondiscrimination policies. The college emphasized expectations that community members’ actions and words comport with institutional identity, values, and policies.

Context and wider implications

The meeting addressed possible relocation or closure of three Upper West Side schools amid recent discussions about school shutdowns in Manhattan District 3. Black students make up around 20% of students enrolled in schools across New York City. The Community Action School, whose eighth-grade student was speaking when the remarks were recorded, was one of the schools at issue; Friedman said she immediately sent written apologies to Dr. Higgins, the Community Action School, and the Community Education Council and affirmed support for the Community Action School and its mission.

Reginald Higgins, the school district’s interim acting superintendent and neighborhood superintendent who had referenced the work of Carter G. Woodson during the meeting, is connected in coverage with the context for Friedman’s attempt to invoke a historical example. Woodson is identified as the father of Black history and in his 1933 book "The Mis-education of the Negro" he wrote: "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. "

Institutional scale and next steps

Hunter College has more than 17, 000 undergraduates and 5, 500 graduate students. The college has stated it is reviewing the matter under its conduct and nondiscrimination frameworks; further developments may follow as that review proceeds and as community leaders continue to respond.

Recent updates indicate some statements and institutional reviews have been issued; details may evolve.