A Hunter College associate professor is facing backlash after she was caught on a live microphone making comments about Black students during a public education meeting in New York City, as reported by The New York Post.

Allyson Friedman, an associate professor at Hunter College, was recorded speaking during a Community Education Council meeting on Feb. 10.

The meeting included testimony from an eighth-grade Black student who was speaking about the possible shutdown of her school in Manhattan’s District 3.

Hunter College professor under fire after hot-mic remark about black students branded ‘blatantly racist’https://t.co/nECA1vnMkJ

I taught inner city black students. This professor should be fired. This liberal democrat professor just showcased how democrats are racists. — David Plexiglass (@davidhinge1968) February 23, 2026

During the exchange, Friedman interjected while her microphone was still live.

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“They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school,” Friedman reportedly said, according to the New York Times.

She continued, “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.”

What a horrifically racist comment from someone who appears to be from The Center School where Cynthia Nixon sent her child and who has vehemently been pushing back on a school merger because of “equity”. Here’s the video clip of the incident: https://t.co/KZadDoeR28 pic.twitter.com/Yrqx7vpSiG

— Jean (@queens_parents) February 20, 2026

The remarks appeared to reference comments made during the meeting by Reginald Higgins, the school district’s interim acting superintendent.

Higgins had spoken about Carter G. Woodson, widely known as the father of Black history.

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Woodson wrote in his 1933 book “The Mis-Education of the Negro,” “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.”

According to reports, Friedman’s comments drew immediate criticism from education officials and others who participated in the meeting, which was conducted over Zoom.

Students attending the virtual session were reportedly stunned by the remarks.

A university spokesperson described Friedman’s comments as “abhorrent,” according to the Daily Mail.

 

Rita Joseph, the New York City Council education chair, also addressed the incident.

“’ I am deeply disturbed by the blatantly racist and harmful remarks made during the CEC3 [Community Education Council for School District 3] meeting…,’ Rita Joseph, the city council education chair, said.

Brad Hoylman Sigal, the Manhattan borough president, described the remarks as “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 added.

Following the backlash, Friedman issued an apology and attempted to clarify her statements, according to the New York Times.

“My complete comments make clear these abhorrent views are not my own, nor were they directed at any student or group,” she said.

“I fully support these courageous students in their efforts to stop school closures.

“However, I recognize these comments caused harm and pain, while that was not my intent, I do truly apologize.”

Allyson Friedman, a professor at Hunter College, sent a statement to West Side Rag on Saturday evening acknowledging she was the one who made the remarks at last week's Upper West Side schools meeting.

Here is her statement in full. https://t.co/1qni5hCPKF pic.twitter.com/R7MSLe52t5 — Gus Saltonstall (@GusSaltonstall) February 22, 2026

The controversy comes as city officials consider proposals to close schools in Manhattan District 3. Chalkbeat reported that education leaders have been reviewing potential closures in recent weeks.

Black students account for approximately 20 percent of students enrolled in New York City public schools. At Hunter College, more than 17,000 undergraduates and 5,500 graduate students are enrolled. Black or African American students represent about 11.5 percent of the university’s undergraduate population.

The incident has prompted criticism from multiple elected officials and education leaders as discussions about potential school closures continue in Manhattan.

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