As many presidential historians agree, it takes years after a president leaves office to properly assess their legacy. That evaluation of Jimmy Carter is no different as the nation mourns his passing on Dec. 29, 2024, in his hometown of Plains, Ga. He was 100.
Most important for Black Americans is his stance on civil rights during his one term, from 1977 to 1981, as the 39th president. It is often noted that his position on civil rights evolved: He actively opposed racial segregation, although as a young person coming of age in Archery, Ga., near Plains, with a segregationist father, he attended segregated schools. Even so, in his book of poetry, “Always a Reckoning and Other Poems,” he recounted his experience growing up with Rachel Clark, who was Black — their fishing dates, and their continuing relationship over the years, visiting her where she lived in public housing, “still a queen,” he wrote.
Given his political ambitions in the South, Carter had to play his hand carefully if he wanted to succeed, and ironically, it was at the urging and then support of Vernon Jordan and Andrew Young that he began his gubernatorial path and onward to the White House. Seeking the highest office in the land was not an easy undertaking, particularly when he had to contend with Teddy Kennedy. The most troubling contention came from Black political leaders in his home state: Julian Bond and John Lewis.
In his book “Walking with the Wind,” Lewis summarized some of the difficulties. Among them, he said, was that “I had no intention of working with Kennedy’s campaign — or for Carters. It bothered me, though, that it was not the fate of the ACTION agency nor of my service there that seemed to concern the President. It was simply his fear that I might get in the way of his bid for reelection.” Lewis noted that Bond was not fond of Carter: “He had no love, absolutely none, for the man.”
Nor did Lewis himself possess any great feelings for Carter. “I was extremely dismayed that he had let me down during my time with ACTION, and by letting me down, he had let down many good, decent Americans who needed his help and had believed him when he said during his ’76 campaign that he was going to give it.” Of course, Lewis didn’t hesitate to back Carter against Ronald Reagan.
On the domestic front, Carter is best remembered for his tireless commitment to Habitat for Humanity, and photos of him with his beloved Rosalynn were widely circulated. He also appointed many African Americans to high government positions, including Young, Patricia Roberts, and others. He may not have ushered through any one remarkable piece of historic legislation, but he did see a number of lesser-known ones succeed.
If Carter was warmly commended by some activists on the domestic front, less praise came for his international decisions, particularly the Camp David accords that many believe were insufficient without the presence of the Palestine Liberation Organization. His critics charged that he was more forthcoming out of the Oval Office than when he had the power.
Much more discourse is needed to sum up Carter’s domestic and foreign policies, although according to the American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA), he was devoted to peace, much of which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
As the generations come and go, we will get a better “reckoning” on Jimmy Carter and his presidency, before, during, and certainly after.