NY – White Professor at CUNY Suspended for Calling Black Students “Too Dumb”

2026-03-03 - 13:25

A tenured associate professor at Hunter College has been placed on administrative leave following racist remarks made during a virtual public meeting that quickly sparked outrage within the university community and beyond. Dr. Allyson Friedman, who is White, was participating as a parent in a February 10 Zoom meeting for New York City School District 3 when she was accidentally unmuted while an eighth-grade Black student addressed proposed school closures. According to reports, Friedman made comments referencing Black students and invoked what she described as a historical quotation. “They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school,” she said, referencing a supposed quote about Black students. She continued, “Apparently, Martin Luther King said it — if you train a Black person well enough, they’ll know to use the back, you don’t have to tell them anymore.” Participants on the call immediately reacted. One attendee interrupted to alert her that her microphone was live, stating: “Allyson Friedman, what you’re saying is absolutely hearable here. You’ve got to stop.” University Response Hunter College confirmed that Friedman has been placed on leave. College President Nancy Cantor described the remarks as “abhorrent” and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to maintaining an inclusive academic environment free from discrimination. Hunter College is part of the City University of New York (CUNY), one of the largest public university systems in the United States. The university has not disclosed how long Friedman will remain on leave or whether additional disciplinary action is being considered. Professor’s Response Friedman later stated that her comments were intended to reference systemic racism and were not reflective of her personal beliefs. She claimed she was attempting to explain broader historical issues to her child, who was present in the room during the virtual meeting. She also said she was citing a historical quote attributed to historian Carter G. Woodson that had been mentioned earlier by the district superintendent. However, critics argue that the language used during the call caused significant harm regardless of intent. Friedman apologized publicly, expressing regret for the impact of her remarks and voicing support for students opposing the proposed school closures. Context of the Meeting The virtual session was convened to discuss a district proposal that would close two under-enrolled schools and repurpose a building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The proposal has generated concern among parents and community advocates, particularly regarding its potential impact on Black and Latino students. The incident has since fueled broader discussions about race, accountability and leadership within higher education institutions, as well as the responsibilities of educators in public discourse.