The loss of President Jimmy Carter
When Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away at the age of 100, this past Sunday, the country and the world lost a vital example of citizen leadership, devoted service to the public good, and the prioritization of decency above all other political ideas.
Even his fiercest critics can learn vital lessons from his example of leadership, which is certain to be seen as more unique, impactful, and important, in the eyes of history, as time passes. When you forthrightly put service above self-interest, the possibility of achieving breakthroughs, with honor and in line with core societal values, opens up.
Strength of character is a political magnet; even the unlikely outsider can raise hopes of major change, if the message resonates with the humanity of millions. Jimmy Carter was a fast-rising Navy officer and one of the daring pioneers of the nuclear submarine service; he left that career when his father died, to take over his family farm in Plains, Georgia, and so began his rise from local public servant to President of the United States.
Historians and allies give mixed reviews of his four years in the White House, though in hindsight, his contributions to peace and security, the advancement of human rights, and defense of the rule of law, stand as landmark achievements in a time of multiple converging crises. It is clear now, 44 years after he left office, that his one term achieved its primary purpose of restoring Americans’ faith in democracy after the Watergate corruption scandal. Some have argued that had he not been so exemplary in bringing decency and service front and center, the country would have seen a need for four more years of the attempt.
One of his greatest achievements is one he is often derided for—the liberation of the American hostages held by violent extremists in Tehran. Though a military rescue operation failed one month before the 1980 election, President Carter worked quietly and tirelessly to negotiate the hostages' release. It was not until January 20, 1981, the day of the inauguration of his successor, that they hostages were finally freed.
Two hours before Carter handed over the office to Ronald Reagan, the liberated hostages were aboard an aircraft, waiting to take off. It was not until 20 minutes after the oath had been administered and he was no longer President that Carter received word the plane had left Iranian airspace. Media focused on the timing as a sign of the power and possibility of the new administration, and the legend grew that somehow secret negotiations had taken place. It is, of course, possible, that the Ayatollah wanted to punish Carter for the attempted military raid, and in those days of cooperative transitions, it is to be expected that both administrations played a role, but it was President Carter who led negotiations to secure the release of the hostages.
Not just among US Presidents, but across the world, Carter’s example stands incredibly tall: he did not wield the influence of post-Presidency to enrich himself or become a thorn in the side of all who followed; nor did he walk away from the duty to be an honest critic of political friends and foes. He was political by not making political calculations; instead, he reminded us by his word and deed that politics is a collective process of problem-solving.
Jimmy Carter volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, because it was possible to help neighbors and others in need with the simple act of being present and doing one’s part to give them shelter. In many ways, this was an act of rebellion against a moment in history that seemed to demand an everyone-for-themselves mentality. Carter reminded us that being a strong, free, patriotic person of conscience means choosing according to your values to help those in need.
In an interview with Habitat for Humanity, he explained:
“Like other Habitat volunteers, I have learned that our greatest blessings come when we are able to improve the lives of others…”
He went on to describe service to those in need as a vital thread of the fabric of American life and democracy:
“America is the most diverse or heterogeneous nation, comprised primarily by immigrants who were not afraid of an unpredictable future in a strange land. Almost all of them had great need when they arrived here and were then inspired to be of help to others. This concept of service to others is still a crucial element in the American character and has always prevailed in overcoming challenges and correcting societal mistakes.”
While our politics at the opening of the 2nd quarter of the 21st century are divisive, and full of vitriol, fear, and resentment, the country is still one where local community groups, volunteer organizations, including volunteer fire and emergency services, faith institutions, and charities, work to overcome challenges and correct mistakes built into the structure of society itself.
Though I did not know him personally, I believe Jimmy Carter would want all Americans to see national symbols like the flag, the bald eagle, our national military services, and other agencies sworn to serve and defend the public good, as manifestations of our common purpose and effective community. I believe he would want us to recognize that our diversity of views and perspectives, our distinct ways of seeing the political questions of our moment, our deep and meaningful differences, are also an asset—evidence that we are a society in which free people choose to differ and also choose to work together to solve problems.
We live now in a time of converging crises, with terrible armed conflicts, ongoing threats to democracy and human freedom, worsening climate change, the ripple effects of a global pandemic, unprecedented levels of hunger and malnutrition, and devastating income inequality, putting the stability of nearly all societies at risk. We need Jimmy Carter's lasting example of citizen service and activated decency, to help us navigate these times.