A Moral Compass for the American Presidency
(c) 2017 Harold Michael Harvey
On December 29, 2024, the world bid farewell to a remarkable leader and humanitarian, former President Jimmy Carter. Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, Carter’s life was a testament to the power of compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication to public service. As we reflect on his extraordinary journey, we celebrate the legacy of a man who left an indelible mark on the world.
Jimmy Carter’s ascent to the presidency was marked by his commitment to human rights and social justice. Elected as the 39th President of the United States in 1976, Carter’s tenure is characterized by his efforts to promote peace and diplomacy. One of his most significant achievements was the Camp David Accords, a historic peace agreement between Egypt and Israel that earned him international acclaim. His dedication to resolving conflicts through dialogue and negotiation set a precedent for future leaders.
Beyond his presidency, Carter’s impact continued to resonate through his tireless humanitarian work. In 1982, he and his wife, Rosalynn, founded the Carter Center, an organization dedicated to advancing human rights and alleviating suffering worldwide.
Initially, The Carter Center was housed on the campus of Emory University. Shortly after the Center opened its doors, my wife, Cynthia Harvey, began to work at Emory University as a Broadcast Specialist in the Public Relations Department. Emory’s PR department handled much of The Carter Center’s public relations in those days. The PR department helped to coordinate the first conferences where Carter invited world leaders to continue the peace initiatives he had begun as President.
At that time, I was learning the lawyer’s trade. Still, my wife knew I had a keen interest in politics, and she would make sure I had credentials that would get me into the conferences where I met President Carter and his predecessor, President Gerald R. Ford, and numerous diplomats from Israel, Egypt, and Palestine. One day, I attended a conference held by The Carter Center. Cynthia and her colleagues in Emory’s PR Department were busy trying to keep the Israelis and Palestinians separated before the conference started. They had set up separate coffee and pastry stations in different rooms for the Israelis and Palestinians because the public image contended that the two groups did not speak with one another.
Only a few years before, President Carter was forced to fire his friend Andrew Young as our country’s United Nations Ambassador for speaking with the Palestinians. When the PR department could not find the Palestinian delegation in their coffee room, the staff became concerned, only to see them in the coffee room set up for the Israelis, sharing coffee, crossaints, and early morning chatter with their allegedly sworn enemy. President Carter had a unique way of bringing people together.
The Carter Center’s initiatives in disease eradication, election monitoring, and conflict resolution improved the lives of millions, embodying Carter’s vision of a more just and compassionate world.
Carter’s commitment to public service extended to his involvement with Habitat for Humanity, where he and Rosalynn personally participated in building homes for those in need. Their hands-on approach and dedication to improving the lives of others exemplified the values of empathy and service that defined Carter’s life.
Throughout his long and storied career, Carter advocated for democracy, human rights, and environmental sustainability. His creation of the Department of Energy and the Department of Education during his presidency reflected his forward-thinking approach to addressing the nation’s challenges. His efforts to promote renewable energy and conservation laid the groundwork for a more sustainable future.
Carter’s legacy also includes his unwavering moral clarity. He believed in the power of decency and integrity in leadership, and his actions consistently reflected these principles. His post-presidency years were a testament to his belief that one’s duty to serve does not end with political office. Instead, he continued championing causes that uplifted the marginalized and advocated for a more equitable world.
Also, Carter returned home to Plains, Georgia, following his presidency and continued to teach his Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church each Sunday morning until his health began to decline a few years ago. On June 18, 2017, Cynthia and I make the trek from Atlanta, Georgia to Plains, Georgia and sat at the feet of this Presidential Sunday School scholar.
Carter told a story about going to church at age four with one penny that he was supposed to put in the collection plate. But when he returned home he had two pennies and received a strong backlash from his father. He followed that story by reading a passage from a book he wrote about what his father meant to him, then Carter encouraged those in attendence to find something about their parents that could be emulated in their own lives.
As we remember Jimmy Carter, we honor a life dedicated to the betterment of humanity. His legacy is a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us that authentic leadership is rooted in compassion, humility, and a relentless pursuit of justice. Carter’s contributions to the world will be remembered for generations, and his spirit will continue to inspire us to strive for a brighter, more inclusive future.
Harold Michael Harvey, JD, is the Living Now 2020 Bronze Medal winner for his memoir Freaknik Lawyer: A Memoir on the Craft of Resistance. He is the author of a book on Negro Leagues Baseball, The Duke of 18th & Vine: Bob Kendrick Pitches Negro Leagues Baseball. He writes feature stories for Black College Nines.com. Harvey is a member of the Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, HBCU and PRO Sports Media Association, and the Legends Committee for the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. Harvey is an engaging speaker. Contact Harvey at [email protected].