Editor’s note: The video above was taken from a school meeting; the full video is linked below.
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) – An alleged racist comment shocked attendees at a school meeting on Tuesday, the New York City Department of Education (DOE) confirmed to PIX11 News on Friday evening.
The comment was made during Black History Month at a Feb. 10th meeting on a proposed relocation or closure of three Upper West Side schools, as first reported by the West Side Rag.
Parents, students, teachers, and other community members from The Center School, The Riverside School for Makers and Artists, and the Community Action School were present when the comment was made, according to the DOE.
A student was giving remarks on why they don’t want to lose their school when a participant said:
“They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school,” said what can be described as a woman’s voice. Shock was evident among multiple viewers as the person continued speaking.
“Apparently Martin Luther King said it, like if you train a black person well enough, they’ll know to use the back, you don’t have to tell them any more.”
Another attendee could be heard admonishing the speaker, stating that their comments were being heard and that they needed to stop.
The meeting fell silent for a few moments before the student continued speaking.
PIX11 also reached out to the DOE to see if a staff member made the remarks. The DOE said it was not a staff member and also released the following statement.
“The comments made were abhorrent and have no place in our school communities,” said Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “New York City Public Schools does not tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind, period. We take these matters very seriously, and the superintendent, as well as our Office of Family and Community Empowerment, are responding to this incident comprehensively. Citywide and Community Education Councils are independent bodies, and their meetings are expected to be respectful spaces for students, families, and staff. What happened at the meeting was a complete violation of those expectations, and we are providing support to the district to repair the harm done. “
The full video can be found here.