(New York, New York) – An elite Manhattan education meeting meant to discuss school closures descended into controversy after racially charged remarks were captured during a child’s speech. Now a Hunter College professor has admitted responsibility.
An Upper West Side school district meeting about potential school closures has ignited outrage across Manhattan after a series of racist comments were accidentally broadcast while an eighth-grade student was speaking.
The remarks — caught during a February 10 Community Education Council (CEC3) meeting — stunned parents, students, and educators both in the room and watching on Zoom.
The Moment That Stopped the Meeting
The meeting centered on possible relocation or closure plans involving The Center School, The Riverside School for Makers and Artists, and the Community Action School. Families gathered at the Joan of Arc school building on West 93rd Street, while others joined virtually.
As an eighth-grade student from Community Action School spoke passionately about wanting to keep her school open, a voice — apparently unaware their microphone was live — interrupted the moment.
“They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school,” the voice said.
“If you train a Black person well enough, they’ll know to use the back. You don’t have to tell them anymore.”
Video footage shows visible shock on participants’ faces. An organizer quickly warned the speaker that their comments were audible. The meeting then fell silent for several seconds.
A woman then addressed the student gently: “I’m sorry sweetie, go ahead baby.” The student finished her remarks, expressing fear that students might lose their “safe spaces.”
Professor Admits to Making the Comments
Days later, Allyson Friedman, a professor at Hunter College, acknowledged she was the individual responsible for the remarks.
In a statement sent Saturday evening, Friedman claimed the comments were part of a separate discussion about systemic racism and were unintentionally broadcast due to an “inadvertent unmute.”
She apologized, saying her words were “wrong” and caused “real harm,” and stated they did not reflect her beliefs or values.
Hunter College issued its own statement Sunday, calling the remarks “abhorrent” and confirming it is reviewing the matter under its conduct and nondiscrimination policies.
DOE, Chancellor, and PTA Condemn the Remarks
The New York City Department of Education (DOE) quickly denounced the comments, stating that discrimination will not be tolerated and that district leadership is providing support in response to the incident.
An email was sent to parents across School District 3 calling the remarks “inappropriate, harmful, and racially offensive.”
Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels also weighed in, calling the comments “abhorrent” and a violation of expectations for respectful school community dialogue.
The PTA Executive Board of The Center School sent a letter apologizing to students who spoke at the meeting, describing the comments as “racist and deeply hurtful” and reaffirming the school’s commitment to inclusion.
