"As the community continues to process the harm caused by recent racist comments at a Community Education Council meeting, our focus must be on healing, stability, and ensuring students feel safe and supported."
"At a Community Education Council meeting in February, a Community Action School student, who is Black, was testifying about how much she loves her school and wants to keep it open when Allyson Friedman, a white parent at a different Upper West Side middle school, interjected with racist remarks captured on an unmuted microphone."
"The comments were quickly denounced by the Community Education Council, the Center School - where Friedman is a parent - multiple parent groups and a slew of local lawmakers, including the mayor, with Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels calling the comments abhorrent."
The city's education department abandoned its proposal to phase out Community Action School on the Upper West Side following public outcry triggered by racist remarks made during a Community Education Council meeting. A white parent, Allyson Friedman, made derogatory comments about Black students while a Black student was testifying about her school. The incident prompted immediate condemnation from the Community Education Council, parent groups, local lawmakers, and the mayor. Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels called the comments abhorrent. Friedman apologized, claiming her remarks were accidentally captured on an unmuted microphone. Hunter College, where Friedman works as an associate professor, initiated a conduct review. The education department prioritized community healing and student safety in reversing the school closure decision.
Read at Gothamist
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