Hunter College, one of the leading CUNY higher learning institutions, said in a statement that it was reviewing racist remarks made by an associate professor during a school board meeting.
On Feb. 10, at a Community Education Council meeting, Dr. Allyson Friedman, a tenured associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, attended a virtual meeting as a parent regarding the proposed closure of several Manhattan West Side public schools. At the event, a Black middle schooler was given the chance to speak out in support of her teachers and against the potential closure of her school. In a viral video, Friedman can be heard speaking over the child, unaware that her mic was in fact on.
“They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school,” said Friedman in the recording. “If you train a Black person well enough, they’ll know to use the back. You don’t have to tell them anymore.”
The latter half of her racist remarks made reference to an earlier comment made by acting superintendent Dr. Reginald Higgins who previously quoted Carter G. Woodson.
Other parents in the meeting room responded to the comments, urging Friedman to “stop.” Dr. Higgins promptly sent an email out to parents to inform them of an adult’s “demeaning assumptions” about Black children.
With the dispersal of the recording, statements were made by Manhattan borough president Brad Hoylman-Sigal, chair of the City Council’s education committee Eric Dinowitz and New York City school chancellor Kamar Samuels, emphasizing the deplorable nature of Friedman’s words and addressing the harm her words might have caused.
BREAKING: Hunter College Professor Allyson Friedman caught on HOT MIC dropping BLATANTLY RACIST comments about Black students!
— i Expose Racists & Pedos (@SeeRacists) February 23, 2026
While a Black eighth-grade student testified against her school’s potential closure, Friedman was overheard saying:
“They’re too dumb to know they’re… pic.twitter.com/jTOnxBFRbR
In a statement, Hunter College confirmed that, while they were made as a private citizen, Friedman’s comments are being reviewed. CUNY continued to reinforce its commitment to an “inclusive, educational environment.”
Friedman herself also spoke out, claiming that her comments were made in an attempt to explain systemic racism to her child by referencing “an obviously racist trope.”
“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,” said Friedman, per the New York Times. “However, I recognize these comments caused harm and pain, while that was not my intent I do truly apologize.”
The board meeting was held to address proposed plans for the closures and mergers of several under-enrolled K-8 Harlem schools. Located in District 3, the plans focus on smaller middle schools at risk of shutting down completely. Among the schools that may be affected is the Center School. The grades 5-8 public school may potentially be moved from West 84th Street to the P.S. 191 building.
A majority of students who will be affected by the changes are Hispanic and Black. In District 3, approximately 37% of students are Hispanic, while nearly 20% are Black. The changes come as more students are leaving public schools. Per the Manhattan Institute, 54% of Black students have left public schools over the past two decades.
