Former President Jimmy Carter died on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100. His long and fulfilling life spanned two world wars and countless technological and social advancements. Unlike the president who had been re-elected for a second, non-consecutive term a few short weeks before his death, Carter was married to one woman for over 75 years and had served his country in the military as a naval officer. His post-presidency years were full of global peacekeeping efforts, lecturing, leading Bible study in his small church in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, writing over 30 books, and building houses with Habitat for Humanity as a project with The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project.
I came of age during Carter’s presidency and remember feeling that the president cared about people like me — an African-American female, growing up middle-class in urban America. I felt that we were valued by the country’s leader, who wanted people like me to grow to their full potential. Regardless of what some think about his policies, for me there’s no denying that Carter was an incredibly decent and honorable man; filled with compassion and empathy. He seemed to genuinely care about making the world a better place for all — not just for those who were already wealthy, rich, White, landowning or business-owning men. Watching Carter’s funeral made me feel sad for the young people today who are growing up watching someone occupy the Oval Office who exhibits characteristics that are the opposite of Carter’s.
I watched the ceremony on January 7, 2025, when our 39th president’s casket was placed in the U.S. Capitol for viewing. The precision of the armed forces was impressive. The fact that there was a saddle facing backwards on a horse signifying that the leader was looking at the people who were following him had an emotional impact on me as I wondered if the concept of servant leaders was behind us. Two days later, I watched the memorial service at the National Cathedral that included myriad speeches from people who knew Carter for decades. His funeral felt like a recognition of not only the passing of a man, but also the passing of an era; one of humility, dedication to relationships and values of caring about and helping others, truth-telling, and making the world a better place for as many people as possible — not just personal friends.
The consistent and recurring theme expressed at his funeral was that he was an honest man who lived in a humble manner and cared for his fellow people no matter what their lot in life was. He traversed between the halls of international power to those who had almost no earthly possessions. He championed for women to have opportunity in key positions in his administration, initiated many agencies such as the Department of Education that focused on leveling the playing field for Americans to all have a chance, and the Department of Energy. He was an early adopter of addressing climate change by putting solar panels on the White House (only for them to promptly be removed by Ronald Reagan, his immediate Republican successor).
And Republicans have continued trying to tear down what Carter built. As many anticipated, within a few months of starting his second term, former President Joe Biden’s successor began efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and eliminate solar power. One man who served the country with dignity, honor and a commitment to service was gone while another, more than two decades his junior, assumed the same office with the focus of enacting opposite policies.
Many will argue forever about how effective they felt Carter was as a president. But few can argue that he had strong character and served his country and community. He came across as selfless versus self-absorbed. He was kind and understated versus lambastic and insulting. He was intelligent and analytical versus impulsive and disdainful of education. He lived his life as some Christians interpret Jesus’ teachings to walk among and assist those who have the most need versus using the Bible to justify violence, oppression and exploitation. In fact, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, which is an honor the current president has pined for and lobbied to receive.
Since Carter’s death, the 47th president has led an all-out assault against almost everything that Carter championed, built and supported — diversity, equity, inclusion, religious tolerance, intellectualism, respect for science, diplomacy and more. While people are suffering from his psychological and economic abuse, he has physically altered the Rose Garden and the White House. His administration has unleashed terror onto Brown immigrant communities, forced family separation, led censorship campaigns and more. So one needs to wonder: What kind of country is this? Is it a country of Carter or the current president? Maybe both men represent different factions of the deeply Disunited States of America.
Those who have been negatively impacted by the various forms of violence inflicted by the current administration need to believe that what Carter stood for is still alive in the country. His legacy of equality and fairness has been manifested in the recent election of several progressive women and people of color into political positions. A new generation of leaders who believe in compassion and equality are rising through the ranks. The concept of patriotism through fighting for the least of us will become in vogue again.
Carter left a legacy that can serve as a guiding force for good in the country and world. His life exemplified what many parents hope their children can embody. The “States” of America will hopefully become “United” one day. Until then we all need to hold on to hope while also doing the work to make civility and integrity great again.
