Jimmy Carter is regarded as one of the greatest former presidents to ever live by many Americans. He has garnered a lifetime of humanitarian work and respect by many. With Carter having recently passed away in December, it’s a great time to reflect on his career and life.
Born James Earl Carter Jr. in Plains, Georgia on October 1, 1924, Carter was the first-born child of his mother and father Bessie and James Carter. Carter was born into a family with a long history of cotton farming and began farming and selling peanuts as a teenager. When Carter got to college he met his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Smith. Carter eventually graduated from the Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science.
As the rise in racial tension and discrimination spread across America, Carter stepped into the political scene, winning a seat in the Georgia State Senate in 1962, During his time in the Georgia Senate, Carter kept a tradition of standing up for liberty and equality. In 1966 Carter ran for governor of Georgia, but lost to his polarizing opponent Lester Maddox. This led Carter to return to his farming business and to focus his efforts on his newfound Christian faith and planning his next campaign.
During Carter’s 1970 campaign for governor, he intentionally used racist rhetoric to appeal to conservative voters. Though this was a divisive path to follow, Carter was officially sworn in as Georgia’s 76th governor in 1971. Once in office Carter turned right back around and began fighting against Georgia’s racist politics and began a lifelong journey of fighting for human rights.
In 1977 Carter was elected as the 39th President of the United States of America.
Carter kept his humanitarian legacy up as POTUS and worked hard to keep foreign relations secure, regulate the environment, create the Dept. of Ed., and was an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. His presidency was met with mixed reactions. Though many were thrilled with his victory, there was an overwhelming amount of negativity thrown at him throughout his presidency.
“Many crises were hitting at the time of his presidency…I think that [was] part of the reason there was such a negative reaction… but certainly, some of the blame resides with Carter and his policies,” History teacher Jennifer Rosebrook said. “There seemed to be a sense of him being out of control and unable to deal effectively with the [crises] at hand.”
Aside from Carter’s presidency, part of what he’s best known for is his post-presidential legacy. Immediately after leaving the White House, Carter began a tour of the Middle East, meeting with world leaders and discussing plans for peace. For the following decades, Carter remained involved in foreign communications and peace-keeping, always trying to involve himself in efforts to make the world a more peaceful place. Throughout his post-presidency, Carter was honored and awarded many times. From having an Indian village renamed after him to being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.
“I think he is going to be better remembered for his time outside of the presidency and for his consistent values of helping others,” Rosebrook said.
Carter changed the meaning of “former US President.” He dedicated his life to being a kind-hearted and peaceful person, which is more than most other presidents. Though he may not be widely regarded as a role model for his political career, he will forever be seen as a role model for what one can achieve by helping others.
“I believe what Carter did after his presidency was his most impactful legacy. He didn’t just say he was a devout Christian, he lived it and walked the walk. He dedicated his life to helping others such as volunteering in building and fixing homes with Habitat for Humanity which both he and his wife worked for for over 30 years all the while raising awareness for more affordable housing,” history teacher Jennifer Coriell said.
It is rare to see a world leader show such dedication and authenticity, especially consistently throughout their life. Carter changed how we think about legacies and most importantly what it means to represent America. He is a role model and a truly decent man.
“He [had] a loving solid relationship with his wife free from personal scandal. He embodied the concept of decency, honesty, integrity and kindness. He deeply cared about his fellow Americans and it showed both in his presidency and beyond.”
