James Earl Carter: A Life and Legacy of Integrity and Leadership

When I Was Young and Dumb

When I was young and dumb, I thought Jimmy Carter, our 39th President of the United States, was a failed president. Honestly, I thought he was a bit basic - putting it kindly.

Why did I think that about such an accomplished man?

Because I believed what the media told me, and because of the ignorance of my own young mind. Back then, I assumed anyone with a Southern accent, including myself, couldn't possibly be brilliant. How could brilliance come from a peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia? Besides, he was a one-term president. Surely, losing the presidency meant failure.

I was a fool.

As a child, I didn't understand what true brilliance looked like, and I knew even less about how rare it is to find someone who holds power and fame with humility and grace. I mistook his humility for weakness when it was actually his greatest strength.

Now that I'm older, have lived a little longer, and learned a lot more about what makes a good leader - and a good human - I see Jimmy Carter for who he truly was: the best among us.

Not because he was a former Governor of Georgia or a former President, not because he was a Naval Officer, a Nuclear Engineer, or even a Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Jimmy Carter was extraordinary because he walked the talk every day of his 100 years. That's called integrity, and it's one of the rarest, bravest qualities a person can have.

An Unsung Civil Rights Activist

Whenever I evaluate someone's moral character or the sincerity of their Christian faith, I always start with one question: How do they treat marginalized people?

Jimmy Carter's stance on Civil Rights speaks volumes. At a time when it was easier - and far more politically advantageous - to support segregation, Carter stood firm for equality and justice.

While running for Governor of Georgia in 1970, he boldly rejected the popular policies of segregationists, committing himself to equal rights for all. As a local school board member, he supported desegregation. In his inaugural address as governor, he declared, "The time for racial discrimination is over."

As President, Carter appointed minorities to positions of power at record-breaking rates, fought to remove barriers to Black voters, and championed the enforcement of Civil Rights laws. He was an unsung Civil Rights activist who made real, lasting change, even when it wasn't convenient.

A True Christian Leader

Jimmy Carter didn't just claim to be a Christian. He lived it.

He loved God. He loved his wife, Rosalynn, faithfully for 78 years. He was a devoted father to their four children. He truly loved others as he loved himself and stood up for peace, even if it cost him power and the ultimate seat of power - the American Presidency.

Carter loved God more than power. Instead of spending four years in the White House focused on re-election, he spent those years making an impact. He prioritized education, human rights, energy policy, and peace in the Middle East. And he kept his greatest campaign promise: to never lie to the American people.

Think about that. Jimmy Carter never lied to us.

Every day, we're bombarded by lies and manipulation from politicians. But Carter was different. He chose integrity over convenience, humility over self-promotion. That alone makes him one of the greatest among us.

A Visionary Foreign Policy

Carter's presidency was guided by a deep moral compass. He made human rights the centerpiece of U.S. foreign policy, even when it angered allies and cost him political capital.

He led the Camp David Accords, a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel that prioritized diplomacy over short-term political gains. Though it earned him international praise, it alienated both pro-Israel and pro-Arab groups in the U.S.

This kind of leadership - putting principles above politics - is rare. But it was Carter's way.

A Champion for Public Education

Jimmy Carter understood that education was the great equalizer - the key to unlocking the American Dream for historically marginalized communities. As president, he made one of his boldest moves by elevating the U.S. Department of Education to a standalone cabinet-level agency in 1979.

This wasn't just a bureaucratic change; it was a declaration that education deserved national attention and resources. Carter believed every child, regardless of race, income, or ability, deserved access to a quality education.

Energy Policy and Environmental Advocacy

Jimmy Carter was an environmentalist before it was fashionable - or even understood by most Americans. During his presidency, he faced an energy crisis head-on by championing energy conservation and alternative energy sources.

In a move that was both symbolic and forward-thinking, Carter installed solar panels on the White House in 1979. He encouraged Americans to adopt sustainable practices, recognizing the urgent need to reduce dependence on foreign oil.

Of course, Americans - never fans of inconvenience or being told what to do - weren't thrilled. His push for energy conservation wasn't popular, and it likely cost him politically, especially when coupled with criticism from the oil and gas industries.

Post-Presidency: A Life of Service

In my lifetime, Jimmy Carter has been the best former President this country has ever seen.

After leaving the White House, he didn't cash in on his status. He went back to Plains, Georgia, to the modest home he built in 1961. There, he and Rosalynn lived humbly while dedicating themselves to humanitarian work.

Through the Carter Center, they tackled global health crises, monitored elections, and fought for peace. Carter continued mediating international conflicts and was an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, building homes for low-income families well into his 90s.

He also remained a faithful member of Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and shared his love and wisdom with his community. He didn't just talk about his values; he lived them, every single day.

A Legacy of Kindness and Courage

The greatness of President Carter came fully into my awareness when I saw a 10-year-old boy dying from Muscular Dystrophy on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2001. 

Mattie Stepanek was 13-year-old poet and peace activist who became mesmerized with Jimmy Carter after doing a school project on peace. For one his final wishes, instead of asking to meet a celebrity or superstar, this little boy Mattie asked to speak to President Jimmy Carter about peace. The President happily obliged, and the two became fast friends, even co-authoring a book called Just Peace: A Message of Hope. When President Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, he shared it with his friend and fellow peacemaker Mattie, the boy he called an angel. In his heartfelt eulogy at Mattie's funeral, the President said:

"Since I left the White House, my wife and I have been to more than 120 nations. And we have known kings and queens, and we've known presidents and prime ministers. But the most extraordinary person whom I have ever known in my life is Mattie Stepanek."

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant

Jimmy Carter was blessed with 100 years of a good life, and we are blessed with the legacy he leaves behind.

His death saddens me. It feels like the end of an era - the death of decency, kindness, and integrity. Today, our nation seems to value materialism, greed, and division, straying further from the ideals Carter lived by.

But people like Jimmy Carter remind us that goodness is not naive, that standing for justice is not weakness, and that true strength comes from humility and faith.

I imagine him now, welcomed Home by his heavenly Father and his beloved Rosalynn, hearing the words: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

The best way to honor him is to strive to be a little more like him - humble, kind, and unwavering in our integrity and resolve to perfect our union.

How will you use your life to serve like President Carter did? Please comment below. Thank you for reading. 

Sources:

The Carter Center | Waging Peace, Fighting Disease & Building Hope

James Carter | The White House

Jimmy Carter served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. He was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace…www.whitehouse.gov