A tenured professor at Hunter College has been placed on leave after making racially offensive comments about Black students during a virtual school district meeting in New York City.
Dr. Allyson Friedman, an associate professor at Hunter College, is facing intense backlash after remarks she made during a February 10 Zoom meeting for New York City School District 3 were overheard by other participants.
The meeting was discussing proposed school closures when an eighth-grade Black student addressed the forum. According to reports first highlighted by Atlanta Black Star, Friedman, who was attending the session as a parent, was accidentally unmuted during the discussion.
During the call, she allegedly made comments suggesting Black students were “too dumb to know they’re in a bad school” and referenced a supposed quote about Martin Luther King Jr.. The remarks immediately shocked other participants, prompting one attendee to interrupt and call her out live on the call.
Friedman later claimed she was referencing a historical quote by Carter G. Woodson, arguing that she was attempting to discuss systemic racism in an educational context. However, the explanation did little to calm the outrage that followed.
In a statement, Hunter College confirmed that Friedman has been placed on leave pending further review.
College President Nancy Cantor described the comments as “abhorrent” and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful academic environment.
Friedman has since apologized, stating that her words were taken out of context and insisting that they do not reflect her personal beliefs.
She said she was trying to explain issues of systemic racism to her child, who was present during the virtual meeting.
The controversy comes amid heated debate over the district’s proposal to close two under-enrolled schools and repurpose a building on the Upper West Side a move that has raised concerns among parents about its impact on Black and Latino students.
Hunter College has not yet indicated how long Friedman will remain on leave or whether further disciplinary action will be taken.
