Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson supported Michelle Obama’s concerns about the isolated experiences of students of color at elite colleges. During an episode of Obama’s podcast, Jackson agreed with Obama’s view that these institutions often fail when distributing students of color sparsely across campuses.
Jackson found Harvard to be a welcoming environment due to its substantial Black community. As a Harvard undergraduate and law graduate, she noted the prevalent support within this community, which helped her feel at home. Michelle Obama, with her similar Harvard Law background, shared these sentiments.
“You don’t do kids of color service by plucking them out and making them one of a few, and then scattering them about the campus,” said Obama.
Jackson echoed this, recalling her own high school experience of loneliness. However, at Harvard, she found a sense of belonging. She mentioned that being among people with similar backgrounds contributed significantly to her comfort and self-expression.
Jackson described the camaraderie with her five roommates, all Black women, within Harvard’s broader supportive community as an incredible experience.
Her reflections came against the backdrop of a broader context of educational institutions facing scrutiny. Notably, Jackson stepped aside from a Supreme Court case involving Harvard’s admissions due to her past role on its Board of Overseers. However, she did participate in a related case with the University of North Carolina, where the court struck down race-conscious admissions programs. In this context, she aligned with Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissent regarding UNC and penned her own opinion stressing the ruling’s potential to exacerbate racial disparities.
“No one benefits from ignorance,” Jackson stated. “Race still matters to the lived experiences of all Americans.”
Since the ruling, Harvard’s enrollment statistics have shifted. Black enrollment saw a decline, reaching 11.5% for the Class of 2029, compared to previous years. The overall scrutiny towards Harvard continues, as the Justice Department has sought records to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s decision.
Despite these challenges, Harvard insists on its commitment to law adherence. It has made adjustments such as preventing application reviewers from seeing racial check-box information to align with the ruling.
The college expressed this commitment in a statement, emphasizing adherence to civil rights laws regarding admissions and financial aid processes.