Carter’s presidency from 1977 to 1981 brought meaningful progress in Civil Rights and Inclusion. He appointed Patricia Harris as the first Black woman to a presidential cabinet, naming her Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and later Secretary of Health and Human Services. Andrew Young served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, further demonstrating Carter’s commitment to inclusion. His administration included a record number of Black federal judges, strengthened rules preventing discriminatory schools from claiming tax-exempt status, and expanded Food Aid Programs for impoverished communities, many of which benefited Black families in rural areas.
Carter’s ability to rise above the racism entrenched in his Southern roots defined much of his political career. As a young school board member in Plains, Georgia, he resisted pressure to join the White Citizens’ Council and objected to his church’s exclusion of Black worshippers. Rachel Clark, a Black woman who worked on the Carter family farm, helped influence his moral compass. She taught him about selflessness and community, lessons that guided him throughout his life. “He even got teased in school for sounding Black,” said Jonathan Alter, author of “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life.”
When Carter ran for Governor of Georgia in 1970, his campaign initially used dog whistles to appeal to White voters. However, after his victory, his inaugural address declared, “The time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter appointed Black judges, supported fair housing laws, and challenged Systemic Racism in ways that surprised even his critics. Martin Luther King Sr. praised Carter, writing, “I know a man I can trust, Blacks can trust, and that man is Jimmy Carter.”
Carter’s connection to the Black Press also marked a historic milestone. In 1977, he invited Black journalists to the White House for the first time and issued Proclamation 4507, declaring Black Press Day. That year coincided with the 150th Anniversary of “Freedom’s Journal,” the nation’s first Black Newspaper.
“Whenever I had a chance to spend time with President Carter, it was clear that he didn’t just profess these values,” said former President Barack Obama. “He embodied them. He made that choice again and again over the course of his 100 years, and the world is better for it.”
From a peanut farmer to President of the United States, “his incredible life, legacy, and leadership are a testament to the power of the American dream,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “His commitment to humility, kindness, and service to others will continue to be a North Star for future generations of public servants.”
Carter once said during his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, “God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace.”
The death of former President Jimmy Carter has reignited an appreciation for a leader who championed equality, justice, and humanity over self-interest and division. Carter, who died at 100, leaves a legacy rooted in humility and service, demonstrating what true leadership can accomplish.
Recommended For You.
Be the first to comment