Today In Black History: President James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr.
Mr. Carter stood for civil, humanitarian, and environmental rights for all, including Black people.
Issue #782 Today In Black History, Monday, January 6, 2025
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As a Boomer and part of a politically aware family, I remember voting for Jimmy Carter. Actually, the first president I “voted” for was John Kennedy. I was ten years old, and my father allowed me to pull the lever on the voting machine that registered his selections, including for Kennedy.
The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 in 1971, and I participated in my first presidential election in 1972 when Richard Nixon crushed the very progressive and anti-war Democrat George McGovern. We know what happened to Richard Nixon as he attempted to be re-elected president. However, the devastating 1972 McGovern loss did not deter me, and I was very excited to vote for Jimmy Carter in 1976.
Today, Monday, January 6, there was the uneventful and ceremonious counting of the Electoral College votes conducted by Vice President Kamala Harris because she is also President of the Senate. She had to count her own election loss, which took about 40 minutes.
In 2021, Donald Trump incited his followers to storm the Capitol and attempt to disrupt the Electoral College vote; seven people died. It took over fourteen hours to complete the count early the following day.
Last fall, President Jimmy Carter stated that he wanted to live long enough to vote for Kamala Harris.
He died three weeks before Trump’s second inauguration.
Jimmy Carter spent his life fighting for civil rights for all, the environment, and education.
Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, Jimmy Carter grew up in a modest, rural setting that profoundly shaped his values and understanding of the world.
Jimmy Carter's childhood in Plains, Georgia, significantly shaped his views on civil rights and racial equality. Growing up in the Deep South during a time of rigid racial segregation, Carter was exposed to the harsh realities of the Jim Crow laws that enforced racial discrimination and inequality.
Despite the pervasive segregation of the era, Carter's upbringing in a small, rural community allowed him to interact with Black families, notably those who worked on his family's farm or lived nearby. These early life experiences gave him a personal understanding of the systemic injustices faced by Black people.
His parents, particularly his mother, Lillian Carter, influenced his perspective on race. Lillian was known for her progressive views for the time, often defying social norms by treating Black individuals with dignity and respect. She worked as a nurse and frequently cared for Black patients, which was uncommon in that era. Her attitude toward racial equality and humanitarian approach undoubtedly left a lasting impression on young Jimmy.
A United States Naval Academy graduate, Carter first embarked on a career in the Navy, which helped develop his leadership skills and commitment to public service.
As governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975, Mr. Carter emphasized the importance of racial integration and equality. In his inaugural address, he famously declared that "the time for racial discrimination is over," a bold statement during a period when many Southern politicians were resistant to civil rights advancements.
During his presidency from 1977 to 1981, Carter continued to advocate for civil rights, appointing many Black individuals to government positions and supporting legislation to advance racial equality.
Even after his presidency, Carter's humanitarian work through organizations like The Carter Center has continued to reflect his commitment to human rights and racial equality.
Jimmy Carter's advocacy for civil rights and support for the Black community can be seen through several significant efforts during his political career and beyond:
Desegregation and Equality as Governor: During his tenure as the governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975, Carter made a strong stand for racial integration and equality. His inaugural address famously included the declaration, "…the time for racial discrimination is over," indicating his commitment to ending segregation and promoting civil rights in a region historically resistant to such changes.
Appointments in Government: As President from 1977 to 1981, Carter appointed many Black individuals to key government positions, a substantial step towards increasing Black representation in federal government roles. This effort helped promote racial equality and provided opportunities for Black Americans to influence and participate in the country's governance.
Support for Legislation: Carter supported various legislative efforts to advance civil rights and racial equality. His presidency saw efforts to enforce existing civil rights laws, promote policies addressing racial disparities, and ensure equal opportunities for all Americans.
Advocacy for Human Rights: Carter's presidency strongly emphasized human rights domestically and internationally. His administration's focus on human rights resonated with the civil rights movement's goals of achieving equality and justice for marginalized communities in the United States, including Black Americans.
Humanitarian Work with The Carter Center: After leaving office, Carter continued his commitment to civil rights through The Carter Center, which he founded with a focus on improving global health, democracy, and human rights. The center's work has included promoting human rights and addressing social injustices, reflecting Carter's ongoing dedication to equality and justice.
Carter's lifelong dedication to civil rights and his efforts to support the Black community have left a lasting impact on American society, emphasizing racial equality and social justice as core components of his legacy.
President Carter’s post-presidency work, mainly through the Carter Center, has been instrumental in promoting peace, democracy, and health worldwide. His efforts in monitoring elections, working to eradicate diseases like Guinea worm, and providing humanitarian aid have touched countless lives and earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Carter's dedication to Habitat for Humanity exemplifies his lifelong commitment to serving others. His hands-on involvement in building homes for those in need showcased a humility and compassion that transcended politics and inspired people worldwide.
President Jimmy Carter's legacy is not just a reflection of his time in office but a testament to a lifetime of service dedicated to improving the human condition. His unwavering ethical leadership, commitment to peace, and unrelenting optimism have left a lasting impression on national and international communities.
President Joe Biden declared that U.S. flags fly at half-staff for thirty days, as has been done after the death of every president in recent history.
Democratic President Harry Truman died in December 1972, and the flags were still at half-staff during the January 1973 inauguration of Republican President Richard Nixon.
Biden has also designated January 9, 2025, as a federal day of mourning and will preside over President Carter’s state funeral on that same day at 10:00 am ET at the Washington National Cathedral.
Trump has complained that flags at half-staff are part of a Democratic ploy that will be damaging to his January 20 inauguration. Trump said the flags were at “half-mast,” but that term is only for flags on ships.
President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday, December 29, 2004, at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100.
Today In Black History
In 1831, the World Anti-Slavery Convention opened in London.
In 1832, the New England Anti-Slavery Society was organized at the African Baptist Church in Boston.
In 1867, the Peabody Fund was established to provide monies for construction, endowments, scholarships, teaching, and industrial education for newly freed slaves.
In 1966, Harold Robert Perry became the first Black Roman Catholic Bishop in the United States to be consecrated in Africa.
In 1984, Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, a South Carolina native and former president of Morehouse College in Atlanta, was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame.
In 2021, Black Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman diverted rioters in the Capitol sent by Donald Trump to disrupt the Electoral College voting from reaching the United States Senate Chamber.
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𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗝. 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗣
𝗜𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗝𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘀
https://patricemersault.substack.com/p/the-obituary-of-donald-j-trump