Unmuted microphone at virtual meeting exposes US professor’s racist comments

An associate professor at Hunter College, Professor Allyson Friedman, has been placed on administrative leave following backlash over racist comments she made during a virtual public meeting.

The professor, Allyson Friedman, was heard making offensive remarks while attending a February 10 meeting of the New York City School District 3 Community Education Council. 

The meeting included contributions from students, among them a Black eighth-grade girl who was raising concerns about the possible closure of her Upper West Side public school.

According to a recording that circulated online, Friedman’s microphone was inadvertently left unmuted when she made disparaging comments about Black students.

In the audio, she was heard saying, “They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school,” and made additional remarks referencing racist stereotypes.

The comments triggered immediate outrage from participants in the meeting, with some attendees calling her out while others appeared visibly shocked.

Moderators paused briefly before apologising to the student and encouraging her to continue speaking.

In a statement released Wednesday, Hunter College President Nancy Cantor confirmed that the college had launched an investigation under its conduct and nondiscrimination policies.

“As I shared earlier, we are investigating this matter under the university’s applicable conduct and nondiscrimination policies,” Cantor said. “Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employee has been placed on leave.”

Hunter College, which is part of the City University of New York (CUNY), had earlier stated that it was reviewing the professor’s conduct after the video went viral and drew widespread criticism.

Friedman later told The New York Times that her remarks were taken out of context. She claimed she had been attempting to explain systemic racism to her own child by referencing what she described as an “obviously racist trope,” and said her full comments were not clearly captured due to a microphone issue. 

She maintained that the views expressed were not her own and were not directed at any student or group.

Public officials swiftly condemned the remarks. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal described the comments as “outrageous,” adding that it was especially troubling that the statements were made while children were testifying during the meeting.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. also criticised the incident publicly, stating that the professor should not be near students while the investigation is ongoing.

In her statement, Cantor noted that counselling services and employee assistance programs are available to members of the Hunter College community affected by the incident.

She further emphasised that the episode occurred during Black History Month, at a meeting where discussions included the ongoing effects of systemic racism and the responsibility of educational institutions in addressing inequities.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no final disciplinary decision has been announced.

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