Hunter College Professor Faces Backlash Over Alleged Racist Comment in Virtual Meeting
A New York college professor has ignited widespread outrage after allegedly making a racist remark during a public virtual meeting. Allyson Friedman, an associate professor at Hunter College, is accused of uttering the offensive statement on February 10 during a debate focused on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's proposal to close several schools on Manhattan's West Side.
Controversial Remarks During School Closure Discussion
The incident occurred moments after a Black student expressed sadness over the potential closure of their school. According to reports, Friedman stated, "They're too dumb to know they're in a bad school. If you train a Black person well enough, they'll know to use the back. You don't have to tell them anymore." Friedman, who was attending the meeting via Zoom, made these comments audible to all participants, prompting immediate reactions from attendees.
One person at the meeting responded directly, saying, "Allyson Friedman, what you're saying is absolutely hearable here. You've got to stop." Visual reactions from students on the Zoom call included visible frowns, gasps, mouths agape, and some covering their faces in apparent shock and dismay.
Context and Apology from Professor Friedman
Friedman later explained in a statement to The New York Times that she was attempting to "explain the concept of systemic racism" to her child, who was present in the room. She claimed she referenced "an example of an obviously racist trope" for educational purposes. Her statement continued, "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."
The professor's remarks appeared to reference a comment made earlier in the meeting by Reginald Higgins, the school district's acting superintendent, who mentioned Carter G. Woodson, a pioneering scholar of Black diaspora history. Woodson once famously 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." However, Friedman's delivery and context were widely perceived as offensive and inappropriate.
Background and Meeting Context
Allyson Friedman is an associate professor specializing in cellular neurobiology at Hunter College. According to the university's website, her research focuses on how neural circuits and neuroadaptations influence human behavior, with goals to expand neurophysiological understanding of mood and anxiety disorders for therapeutic targets.
The meeting where the incident occurred centered on Mayor Mamdani's plan to close several New York City schools, including Hunter College itself. Proposals reviewed by The New York Times suggest closing the Community Action School and Manhattan School for Children due to low enrollment, while potentially relocating the Center School for fifth to eighth graders to P.S./I.S. 191, which would lose its middle school grades. The Independent has reached out to both Friedman and Hunter College for further comment on the controversy.
