Michelle Obama Discusses Affirmative Action and Athletic Admissions

Former First Lady Michelle Obama stated that gaining college admission as a star athlete is akin to being admitted under affirmative action policies. This was highlighted during a recent episode of her “IMO” podcast, where she conversed with comedian Josh Johnson about his experiences as a young Black comedian, often being the only one in the room.

She remarked on the current discussions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, noting that the anger stems from the understanding of demographic quotas. According to Obama, around eight to ten spots out of every hundred might be held for minorities and women, which is where the frustration lies.

She elaborated that some people might have secured positions had those spots not been reserved, considering a hypothetical scenario where, if only white applicants were present, only a certain number would be admitted. This lack of opportunity, as she pointed out, has led to the constant evolution of admissions policies.

Reflecting on her own journey, Obama shared how her early encounter at Princeton left her questioning her standing as an applicant. Despite being a strong candidate as an honors student, she felt a palpable anxiety that her admission may have been insufficiently earned.

She further equated concerns over affirmative action benefits with the admissions process for athletes. They both essentially represent a similar mechanism for securing spots at prestigious institutions, she summarized.

Lastly, she recounted her Princeton experience, expressing that despite feeling like an affirmative action beneficiary, she observed a broader pattern of “affirmative action” principles at play across various student demographics, like legacies and athletes, which often go unnoticed in the same critical lens.