Hunter College to Review Professor’s ‘Abhorrent’ Remarks at Meeting

Hunter College said on Sunday it would review whether “abhorrent remarks” made by a professor at a public meeting violated the institution’s policies. The comments were made during a Feb. 10 Community Education Council meeting where families debated a proposal to close or relocate several Manhattan West Side schools.

The remarks came while Allyson Friedman, a tenured associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, attended the meeting virtually as a parent and did not realize her microphone was on. As one student spoke in defense of her school, Ms. Friedman said, “They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school,” and added, “If you train a Black person well enough, they’ll know to use the back.

You don’t have to tell them anymore.” She appeared to be referencing a comment earlier in the meeting by the interim acting superintendent, who mentioned Carter G. Woodson. Parents at the meeting reacted with shock and one interjected by name. Ms.

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