Hunter College professor Allyson Friedman fumes as she is caught on hot mic making ‘blatantly racist’ comments
A New York City university professor has sparked outrage after being caught on a hot microphone making comments about Black students – which education officials have called “blatantly racist.”
Allyson Friedman, an associate professor at Hunter College, sparked controversy when she interrupted a black eighth-grader’s speech about closing her school during a Council on Public Education meeting on Feb. 10.
“They’re too deaf to know they’re in a bad school,” Friedman reportedly said while his microphone was live, according to the New York Times.
“If you train a black man enough, he will be able to use the back,” he said. “You don’t have to tell them anymore.”
He seemed to be referring to the words of Reginald Higgins, interim acting superintendent of the school district, who spoke about Carter G. Woodson – the father of Black history.
“If you make a man think he’s an outcast, you don’t have to order him out the back door. He’ll leave without being told,” Woodson wrote in his 1933 book “The Mis-education of the Negro.”
A university spokesperson described Friedman’s comments as “abhorrent,” according to the Daily Mail.
Education officials were left frustrated and students on the Zoom call were left stunned by Friedman’s comments.
“’I am deeply saddened by the crude and dangerous words that were said during CEC3. [Community Education Council for School District 3] meeting…,’ said Rita Joseph, the city council’s education chair.
Brad Hoylman Sigal, the Manhattan district president, described Friedman’s comments as “outrageous.”
“It is very disgusting that these bad words were said when the children gave evidence at the meeting, expressing themselves in this hatred,” he added.
Friedman apologized for his comments while trying to clarify his words, as reported by the Times.
“My full comment makes it clear that these disgusting comments are not mine, and were not directed at any student or group,” she said.
“I fully support these brave students in their efforts to stop the closure of schools.
“However, I realize that this comment has caused hurt and pain, while it was not my intention and I am truly sorry.”
Black students make up about 20% of the total number of students enrolled in schools throughout New York City.
In recent weeks, officials have been discussing plans to close schools in Manhattan District 3, as reported by Chalkbeat.
More than 17,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are enrolled at Hunter College.
Black or African American students make up about 11.5 percent of the university’s enrollment.
