Hunter College professor Allyson Friedman placed on leave for racist hot mic comments
Share this @internewscast.com

A professor from Hunter College has been placed on leave following significant public uproar over her controversial remarks about black students, which were accidentally made during a virtual meeting.

This action was taken after Allyson Friedman, an associate biology professor at Hunter College, was overheard interrupting a black eighth-grade student who was voicing concerns about the potential closure of her Upper West Side public school. The incident occurred during a public Community Education Council meeting on February 10.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Hunter College President Nancy Cantor addressed the situation, saying, “I wish to provide an update regarding the actions Hunter College is taking following the incident at the recent virtual meeting of the New York City School District 3 Community Education Council, where offensive remarks were heard from a district parent who is also a Hunter employee.”

Cantor further mentioned, “As previously stated, we are conducting an investigation into this matter according to the university’s conduct and nondiscrimination policies.”

The statement also noted, “The employee has been placed on leave pending the results of our investigation.”

Previously, the City University of New York (CUNY) institution announced it was “reviewing” Friedman’s actions after her comments, which quickly went viral and caused a widespread public outcry.

“They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school,” Friedman was heard saying while her mic was unknowingly unmuted, according to a recording of the meeting posted online, which she had attended as a parent of a public school student.

“If you train a black person well enough, they’ll know to use the back,” she said. “You don’t have to tell them anymore.”

She seemed to be referring to a comment made by Reginald Higgins, the school district’s interim acting superintendent, who spoke about scholar Carter G. Woodson, the father of black history, earlier in the meeting.

“If you make a man think that he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told,” Woodson wrote in his 1933 book “The Mis-Education of the Negro.”

Two other adults in the virtual meeting quickly called out the professor, while others sat shocked with their hands over their mouths.

The entire meeting went dead silent for about 10 seconds before the moderators apologized to the student and urged her to continue.

Friedman later excused her language by stating she was explaining systematic racism to her own child, “by referencing an example of an obviously racist trope,” adding her full remarks weren’t completely audible due to a microphone mistake.

“My complete comments make clear these abhorrent views are not my own, nor were they directed at any student or group,” Friedman told the New York Times.

Public officials quickly slammed the professor’s conduct and urged Hunter College to take immediate action.

Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman Sigal called the comments “outrageous.”

“It is particularly despicable that these vile words were uttered while children were giving testimony at the meeting, exposing them to this hatred,” he said.

“She still isn’t fired???” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. also wrote on X.

“She shouldn’t be near any child at all. Her words are abhorrent and racist. I feel awful for all those children who witnessed this. Hunter shouldn’t allow her to continue in her role until a full investigation is complete,” United Jewish Teachers president Moshe Spern wrote.

Cantor added in the statement announcing the decision to place Friedman on leave that counseling services and an employee assistance program were available for members of the school community who feel they need support.

“This painful incident unfolded at a meeting where Black History Month was being celebrated, and the pernicious and enduring effects of anti-Black systemic racism were being discussed, especially with regard to the role of educational institutions in addressing them,” Cantor wrote.

“Hunter has long embraced such a role, which requires constant vigilance to remain attentive and responsive to the ways in which we continually draw and redraw discriminatory social lines.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Bolivia's clown union protests government decree that threatens their livelihood

Bolivian Clowns Rally Against New Government Policy Jeopardizing Their Income

Clowns are taking a stand in Bolivia, and it’s no laughing matter.…
Brooklyn man arrested for manufacturing and dealing ghost guns, faces up to 25 years behind bars

Brooklyn Resident Charged with Ghost Gun Production and Distribution, Facing Potential 25-Year Sentence

A man from Brooklyn has been apprehended, facing accusations of transforming his…
Father loses legal fight to halt euthanasia of 25-year-old daughter in Spain

Spanish Court Upholds Euthanasia for 25-Year-Old: Father’s Legal Challenge Denied

Noelia Castillo Ramos dies by euthanasia after legal fight Noelia Castillo Ramos,…
Striking images reveal US forces in action during Operation Epic Fury: PHOTOS

Captivating Images Capture US Forces in Action During Operation Epic Fury: A Photo Report

Recently unveiled photographs from Operation Epic Fury provide an insider’s view of…
California controller candidate claims he's uncovered $425M in potential fraud, waste

California Controller Hopeful Unveils $425 Million in Suspected Financial Mismanagement

Herb Morgan, a seasoned financial expert on a mission to become California’s…
NYC rideshare driver carjacked at gunpoint by 4 masked goons after refusing to give crew ride: cops, sources

Shocking NYC Incident: Rideshare Driver Carjacked at Gunpoint by Masked Assailants

A rideshare driver fell victim to a carjacking at gunpoint by four…
Sec. of Treasury visits Long Island to tout small business

Treasury Secretary Highlights Small Business Success on Long Island Visit

On Monday evening, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent made a visit…
Wisconsin high school teacher charged with sexual assault of students, allegedly gave minors wine

Wisconsin Teacher Accused of Assaulting Students and Supplying Alcohol

A young special education teacher, aged 22, is confronting potentially lengthy prison…
Trump on Tiger Woods' Florida rollover DUI crash, tells The Post Vanessa's boyfriend endures 'a life of pain'

Trump Reacts to Tiger Woods’ Florida DUI Incident: ‘A Life of Pain,’ Says Vanessa’s Boyfriend in Exclusive Interview

WASHINGTON — In a conversation with The Post, former President Donald Trump…
Missing paddleboarder found dead in Old Tampa Bay after a weekend disappearance near the causeway

Tragic Discovery: Missing Paddleboarder Found Deceased in Old Tampa Bay Following Weekend Search Near Causeway

The search for a man who disappeared during a paddleboarding excursion over…
Pilots shot down by friendly fire during Iran missions already back to dropping bombs

Resilient Pilots: Overcoming Friendly Fire and Returning to Iran Missions

In a remarkable turn of events, pilots who were downed by friendly…
Sinkhole shuts down busy upstate NY highway in both directions

Major Upstate NY Highway Closed as Massive Sinkhole Causes Traffic Chaos

Traffic came to a grinding halt on a bustling highway in upstate…