Allyson Friedman, an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Hunter College, has been placed on leave pending an investigation into controversial remarks she made during a virtual public meeting that were caught on a hot mic and circulated online, sparking a widespread backlash.
Remarks during a school meeting cause a backlash
The remarks came at a Feb. 10 meeting of the New York City School District 3 Community Education Board, where a black eighth-grader spoke about concerns about the possible closure of her Upper West Side public school.
Friedman, who was attending the meeting as a parent, was heard making offensive remarks after accidentally turning on her microphone. A recording of the meeting circulated online and sparked widespread outrage.
According to a recording posted online, Friedman was heard saying, “They’re too stupid to know they’re in the wrong school.”
In another comment, she said: “If you train a black man well enough, he’ll know to use his back. You don’t have to tell them.”
Two adults at the meeting immediately challenged the remarks, while others looked stunned.
The college is launching an investigation
Hunter College President Nancy Cantor said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb. 25): “I am writing to share an update on the actions Hunter College is taking in response to an incident during a recent virtual meeting … in which vile remarks were made by a district parent who is also a Hunter employee.”
“As I have previously communicated, we are investigating this matter in accordance with the University’s applicable conduct and non-discrimination policies,” she added.
“Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employee has been placed on leave.”
The college did not specify whether Friedman will continue to be paid during the leave.
Statement from Friedman
Friedman later issued a statement saying her comments were taken out of context and did not reflect her views.
“My full comments make it clear that these vile views are not my own, nor were they directed at any student or group,” she said.
“However, I recognize that these comments have caused harm and pain, although it was not my intention, I sincerely apologize.”
Context and supporting measures
Cantor noted that the incident occurred during a meeting to observe Black History Month and discuss systemic racism in education.
“This painful incident took place at a meeting celebrating Black History Month and discussing the pernicious and lasting effects of anti-Black systemic racism,” Cantor wrote.
Counseling services and an employee assistance program are available for members of the college community who may need support, she added.
Allyson Friedman: Education, research, published work
Allyson Friedman specializes in cellular neurophysiology and leads the Friedman Lab, which studies neural circuits and neuroadaptations affecting social behavior, mood, and anxiety disorders.
She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She received her Ph.D. from Mount Sinai School of Medicine at New York University and holds a BA from Barnard College.
Her research focuses on how coping strategies, sex hormones, and social support shape the neural circuits that control social behavior. She has authored or co-authored studies published in leading journals including Nature Communications, Science, Biological Psychiatry and Journal of Neuroscience.
