Hunter College Professor Faces Backlash Over 'Blatantly Racist' Comments

Allyson Friedman's remarks about Black students during a school closure meeting spark outrage.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Allyson Friedman, an associate professor at Hunter College in New York City, has sparked widespread fury after she was caught on a hot mic making crass and racist comments about Black students during a Community Education Council meeting. Friedman's remarks, which included saying 'They're too dumb to know they're in a bad school' and 'If you train a Black person well enough, they'll know to use the back,' have been widely condemned as 'blatantly racist' by education officials and students.

Why it matters

Friedman's comments have ignited a firestorm of controversy, highlighting ongoing issues of racism and discrimination in academia. As a professor at a prominent public university, Friedman's remarks have raised serious concerns about the treatment of minority students and the need for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in higher education.

The details

During a Community Education Council meeting on February 10, Friedman interjected a Black eighth-grade student's comments about the potential shutdown of her school with the crass remarks. Friedman seemed to be referencing a quote from Carter G. Woodson's 1933 book 'The Mis-education of the Negro,' in which he wrote: '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.' Education officials have described Friedman's comments as 'abhorrent' and 'blatantly racist,' while students on the Zoom call were left stunned and horrified.

  • The controversial comments were made during a Community Education Council meeting on February 10, 2026.
  • Friedman issued an apology for her remarks on February 23, 2026.

The players

Allyson Friedman

An associate professor at Hunter College in New York City whose racist comments about Black students during a school closure meeting have sparked widespread outrage.

Reginald Higgins

The school district's interim acting superintendent, whose previous comments about Carter G. Woodson were referenced by Friedman in her remarks.

Rita Joseph

The city council education chair who described Friedman's comments as 'blatantly racist and harmful.'

Brad Hoylman Sigal

The Manhattan borough president who called Friedman's remarks 'outrageous' and 'despicable.'

Hunter College

The public university where Friedman is an associate professor, and whose spokesperson described her comments as 'abhorrent.'

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What they’re saying

“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, City Council Education Chair (New York Times)

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

— Brad Hoylman Sigal, Manhattan Borough President (New York Times)

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

— Allyson Friedman (New York Times)

What’s next

Hunter College officials have stated they are investigating the incident and will take appropriate disciplinary action against Friedman if warranted.

The takeaway

Friedman's racist remarks have reignited discussions about the need for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in higher education, as well as the importance of holding faculty accountable for unacceptable behavior that creates a hostile environment for students.