Allyson Friedman — a tenured professor at New York City’s Hunter College who is under review after sharing a “racist trope” during an 8th grader’s speech about her school closing down — is speaking out and “taking accountability.”
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On February 10, the Community Education Council for the Upper West Side School District 3 (UWSSD3) held a meeting at which public school families on Manhattan’s West Side debated a proposal by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani‘s administration. The proposal looks to close or relocate three Upper West Side schools: The Center School, The Riverside School for Makers and Artists, and the Community Action School.
Subsequently, the proposal has prompted a response from the New York City Department of Education, staff, and families. The UWSSD3 later uploaded video of the meeting (held both in-person and virtually via Zoom) online. As seen on video, during the meeting, one student, whom attendees said was Black, fought for her middle school to remain open. She praised her teachers and condemned the potential shuttering of her school.
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As the young child bravely shared her speech, another attendee, attending virtually, made an “abhorrent comment,” not realizing her microphone was not turned off. The attendee was identified as Allyson Friedman, who was attending as a public school parent. She is also an associate professor at NYC’s top public university Hunter College.
Friedman’s unmuted commentary cut in on the young girl’s speech, which visibly took many virtual attendees by shock. Friedman said, “They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school. I mean, f**k. Apparently, Martin Luther King said it. Like, if you train a Black person well enough, they’ll know to use the back. You don’t have to tell them anymore.”
Reportedly, Friedman was referencing a comment made earlier in the meeting by the local school district’s interim acting superintendent, Reginald Higgins. Higgins highlighted Carter G. Woodson — a scholar regarded as the Father of Black History, who once said, “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.”
Interjecting Friedman, another attendee, a man, chimed in, “What you’re saying is absolutely hearable here. You’ve got to stop.” Immediately after that, the video goes silent for about 14 seconds. Then, a woman tells the young child to finish her remarks. She said, “I’m sorry sweetie, go ahead baby, I’m sorry.” The child finished her speech, stating, “We might not be able to have these safe spaces anymore and we should be able to keep our school open.”
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On Friday (February 20), the West Side Rag reported that a Department of Education spokesperson told them that the DOE emailed the district’s parents, calling the remarks “inappropriate, harmful, and racially offensive.” The DOE said:
“NYC Public Schools does not tolerate discrimination. We take these matters very seriously and the superintendent as well as our Office of Family and Community Empowerment are providing support to the district in response to this incident.”
Per the West Side Rag, the Community Education Council for School District 3 also strongly condemned the remarks. Additionally, New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels, who previously served as the UWS School District Superintendent, told the West Side Rag:
“The comments made were abhorrent and have no place in our school communities. Citywide and Community Education Councils are independent bodies, and their meetings are expected to be respectful spaces for students, families, and staff. What happened at the meeting was a complete violation of those expectations, and we are providing support to the district to repair the harm done.”
On Saturday evening (February 21), Friedman, a tenured associate professor at Hunter College’s Department of Biological Sciences, released a statement to the West Side Rag. In it, she apologized, stating:
“During the February 10 CEC3 meeting, there was 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. 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.
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.”
In a similar statement, published by the The New York Times on Sunday (February 22), Friedman doubled down on “trying to explain the concept of systemic racism” to her child, who was in the room with her, “by referencing an example of an obviously racist trope.” However, she insists that only part of that conversation was audible. She said:
“My complete comments make clear these abhorrent views are not my own, nor were they directed at any student or group. 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.”
On Sunday morning (February 22), Hunter College addressed the situation with the West Side Rag. The college said it was aware of Friedman’s “abhorrent remarks.” The statement added, “We are reviewing the situation under the university’s applicable conduct and nondiscrimination policies. In service to Hunter College, we expect our community members’ actions and words to comport with our institutional identity, values, and policies.”
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