Barack Obama
Role at the time: Former president of the United States
Condemned
Statement summary
Obama argues that affirmative action gave excluded students an opportunity to demonstrate their merit and calls for renewed efforts after the ruling.
“Affirmative action was never a complete answer in the drive towards a more just society. But for generations of students who had been systematically excluded from most of America’s key institutions—it gave us the chance to show we more than deserved a seat at the table. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent decision, it’s time to redouble our efforts.”
Read the original post (opens in a new tab)Barack Obama responds to the Harvard and UNC admissions rulingMain post, excluding quoted Michelle Obama post and replies
Obama's original June 29, 2023 post and follow-up about the Supreme Court admissions decision.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Why we used this label
Obama criticizes the loss of the opportunities provided by race-conscious admissions and urges renewed efforts after the ruling. Acknowledging that the policy was incomplete does not express support for the Court decision.