Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and the longest-living former commander-in-chief, has died at 100. His passing brings reflection on a legacy that is both complex and impactful, particularly in the context of his relationship with Black America. Beloved by many and misunderstood by others, Carter’s journey was marked by contradictions and transformation.
To understand Carter’s relationship with the Black community, it’s important to acknowledge the nuances of his early political life. As a candidate for Georgia governor, Carter aligned himself with segregationists, earning harsh criticism from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which labeled him an “ignorant, racist, backward, ultra-conservative, red-necked South Georgia peanut farmer.” This description reflected a campaign strategy that catered to the racial tensions of the time.
Yet Carter’s personal actions told a different story. At his Baptist church, Carter and his wife Rosalynn were among only three members who voted in favor of integration. When the South saw a surge in white supremacist groups after Brown v. Board of Education, Carter stood firm in refusing to join the local chapter of the White Citizens’ Council. His later choice to join the integrated Maranatha Baptist Church further underscored his personal stance against segregation.
This duality didn’t go unnoticed by Black voters, who initially supported his opponent in the Georgia governor’s race. However, once elected, Carter’s actions began to align more closely with his personal convictions. In his 1970 inaugural address as governor, Carter declared, “The time for racial discrimination is over.” That statement marked a turning point in how he approached public service.
By the time he ran for president in 1976, Carter had earned the trust of Black voters nationwide. This trust was reflected in his presidency, where he worked to continue the progress of the Civil Rights Movement. Carter appointed a record number of Black leaders to high-ranking positions, including Patricia Harris, the first Black woman to serve in a presidential cabinet, and Andrew Young, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Alexis Herman also served under Carter as the director of the Labor Department’s Women’s Bureau.
Carter’s close relationship with Martin Luther King Sr., known as “Daddy King,” shaped much of his approach to civil rights. King was a member of Carter’s informal “kitchen cabinet,” advising him on strategies to advance Black liberation. Earnie Green, Carter’s assistant labor secretary, highlighted how the administration’s policies reflected these priorities. Green pointed to Carter’s deliberate inclusion of Black voices and his commitment to creating opportunities that hadn’t previously existed.
Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, described Carter as “that rarest of politicians who was driven by his faith and ideals rather than expediency.” Morial reflected on Carter’s upbringing in the segregated South, noting that his experiences shaped his deep understanding of systemic injustice. “Perhaps more than any modern president, Carter assumed the office with firsthand perspective on the impact of public policy on the lives of average Americans,” Morial said. He pointed to Carter’s early challenges to voter suppression and segregation laws during his tenure as a Georgia state senator.
“From his first days in public office, as a Georgia state senator at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, President Carter challenged laws enforcing voter suppression and school segregation. In his 1971 gubernatorial inauguration address, he declared, “The time for racial discrimination is over.” It was a radical declaration at the time. After George Floyd’s murder in 2020, he repeated those words “with great sorrow and disappointment.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan echoed these sentiments, describing Carter as “a good man and exemplary American who set a powerful example for all of us over the course of his long life.” Whitmer highlighted his contributions to environmental protection, renewable energy advocacy, and the establishment of the Departments of Energy and Education. “He dedicated decades of his life to helping those around the world who had the least,” Whitmer said, referencing Carter’s work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center.
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist reflected on Carter’s ability to connect with everyday Americans. “Jimmy Carter was an incredible leader who worked every day of his life before, during, and after his presidency to make a difference for his fellow Americans and create a more prosperous and peaceful world,” he said. “He extended a helping hand toward those in need and fought tirelessly for human rights, global development, and peace.”
Carter’s presidency wasn’t without its challenges. His early campaign strategies in Georgia created a complicated relationship with the Black community that required years of deliberate effort to mend. As Morial noted, Carter’s work as president helped to bridge that gap. His address to the National Urban League in his first year sparked a national conversation about racial justice, and he continued to consult with civil rights leaders like Vernon Jordan throughout his presidency.
After leaving office, Carter’s commitment to service only deepened. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter focused on humanitarian efforts that addressed poverty, disease, and conflict worldwide. His work with Habitat for Humanity became emblematic of his belief in the dignity of every human being.
Reflecting on Carter’s life, Morial remarked, “Just as he later would wield the tools at his disposal to build homes for people in need, he wielded every resource available to him as an elected official and respected statesman to alleviate suffering, to dismantle oppression, and to advance peace and justice.”
Jimmy Carter’s legacy is a reminder that change is possible, even for those who start on a complicated path. His ability to evolve and align his public service with his personal convictions demonstrates the impact of integrity and courage in leadership. For Black America, his life serves as a case study in redemption, progress, and the enduring fight for equality.
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