Zoom attendees respond to Friedman’s racist remarks
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Allyson Friedman, the Hunter College professor and Center School parent who made racially offensive remarks during a Community Education Council District 3 Zoom meeting earlier this month, has issued a public apology — and her employer has weighed in, calling the comments “abhorrent.”
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As ILTUWS recently reported, Friedman was captured on the meeting recording making the remarks while a student from the Community Action School was testifying about the possible relocation of several Upper West Side schools. In the video, Friedman can be heard saying: “They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school. It’s like, if you train a Black person well enough, they’ll know to use the back door — you don’t have to tell them anymore.”Multiple attendees also described additional comments, including that Friedman insinuated students of color could not learn as well as white students and suggested they would end up in cleaning jobs. The Community Action School’s student body is predominantly Black and Latino.
Following the backlash, Friedman issued the following apology on X / Twitter:
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.
Allyson Friedman
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During the meeting itself, Friedman’s only response had been a message in the Zoom chat approximately 40 minutes after the remarks: “Deepest apology for the inappropriate comment — Zoom mishap.”
A Hunter College spokesperson confirmed that Friedman is an employee and called the remarks “abhorrent.” Here’s the full statement:
Hunter College is aware of an incident during a recent virtual meeting of the New York City School District 3 Community Education Council in which abhorrent remarks were heard coming from a district parent who also is a Hunter employee. Even as these remarks were made in the individual’s role as a private citizen and we understand that the district is conducting an investigation into the matter, Hunter College is 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. We stand firm in our enduring commitment to sustain an inclusive educational environment that is free of discrimination of any kind, in which people of all identities will feel welcome and can thrive.”
Superintendent Dr. Higgins previously described the comments as “racially offensive and rooted in anti-Blackness,” writing in a February 18 email to the District 3 community that they “demeaned an entire predominantly Black and Latinx school community, disrespected the student presenter, and caused real harm to those present.”
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The district has taken several steps in response, including direct follow-up with the individuals involved, support for impacted students and staff, and enhanced training for parent leaders on Zoom security and facilitation controls.Friedman is a biology professor specializing in cellular neurophysiology, according to her profile page on Hunter’s website. She also has her own dedicated website which went offline after the news went viral.
CEC District 3 has announced that a formal statement regarding the incident will be discussed and voted on in public at its next meeting on March 3, in accordance with Open Meetings Law. The meeting will take place at the Joan of Arc Building, 154 West 93rd Street and on Zoom. It’s also listed on the CEC3 website (scroll down a bit on the home page).
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