Allyson Friedman sparks fury after hot-mic 'blatantly racist' comment at CEC3 meeting

allyson friedman, an associate professor at Hunter College, apologized after a hot-mic exchange at a Feb. 10 Community Education Council meeting interrupted an eighth-grade student and prompted campus review and wide condemnation. The episode has resurfaced debate over planned school relocations and closures in Manhattan District 3.

Feb. 10 CEC3 meeting interrupted as eighth-grade student spoke

The incident occurred during a Community Education Council meeting on February 10, a hybrid session about 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. An eighth-grade student from the Community Action School was speaking about not wanting to lose her school when a remark by an adult, apparently unaware her microphone was live, interrupted her testimony.

Participants included parents, students and teachers of the three schools, with some in person at the Joan of Arc school building at 154 West 93rd Street and many others joining on Zoom. The session was hosted by the Community Education Council for School District 3 and included members of the Department of Education, including neighborhood Superintendent Reginald Higgins. The Community Education Council posted a video of the meeting on its site on Wednesday.

What was said and the historical reference that followed

During the interruption, the voice said, "They're too dumb to know they're in a bad school. " The same 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 were not audible between the first and second sentence.

The remarks appeared to follow a comment by Reginald Higgins that referenced Carter G. Woodson. Carter G. 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. "

Officials, students and a university spokesperson condemn the comments

Education officials described the exchange as blatantly racist and were left profoundly disturbed, and students on the Zoom call were stunned. Rita Joseph, the city council education chair, said she was "deeply disturbed by the blatantly racist and harmful remarks made during the CEC3 [Community Education Council for School District 3] meeting. " Brad Hoylman Sigal, the Manhattan borough president, called the remarks "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. "

A university spokesperson described the comments as "abhorrent. " The remarks also prompted a response from the New York City Department of Education as officials continued to discuss the broader question of shutting down schools in Manhattan District 3. Black students make up around 20% of the total number of students enrolled in schools across New York City.

Allyson Friedman apologizes and Hunter College opens review

Allyson Friedman sent a statement in an email at 6 p. m. on Saturday acknowledging she was the one who made the remarks at the February 10 meeting and saying she was "deeply sorry to the students, families, educators, and community members who were hurt. " In that emailed statement Friedman said there had been a discussion at the February 10 CEC3 meeting 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.

Friedman said that, separately, "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 said the remarks were not directed at the student speaker and did not reflect her beliefs, but added that "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. "

Friedman said she immediately sent written apologies to Dr. Higgins, the Community Action School, and the Community Education Council, that she supports the Community Action School and its mission, and that she regrets adding pain or distraction at a moment when the community's concerns about the Department of Education's school-closure process deserved full attention. She said she is committed to accountability and repairing harm.

On Sunday morning, Hunter College issued its own statement saying it was aware of the "abhorrent remarks" and that it was reviewing the situation under the university's applicable conduct and nondiscrimination policies. The statement added, "In service to Hunter College, we expect our community members' actions and words to comport with our institutional identity, values, and policies. "

Local context: video posted and wider enrollment figures

Officials of Upper West Side School District 3 posted the meeting video this week after the comment surfaced. The meeting's focus on the possible relocation or closure of the three schools drew parents, students and educators to testify; the controversy over the remarks has amplified attention on that process.

Hunter College enrolls more than 17, 000 undergraduates and 5, 500 graduate students. The exchange has joined other recent debates over school closures and equity as city officials weigh plans affecting Manhattan District 3.