Jimmy Carter Dies at 100

   Carter's entry into mainstream politics with his Georgia Gubernatorial race greatly differed from his presidential campaign. He even criticized his opponent's support for Martin Luther King Jr. This was widely seen as a tactic to advance his political career in the highly segregated state of Georgia, but generally strayed from his more progressive rhetoric once he won the election and continued later into his presidency. 

Going into the presidential election, Carter led in the polls by a few points, likely due to the scandals of Watergate and Nixon's pardoning still sticking to Gerald Ford's. But days before election day polls narrowed and Carter had serious threats to lose the electoral college. He eventually won with 297 electoral votes but the win hinged on the states of Ohio and Wisconsin. He won by less than 2 points in each state and they both were a result of extreme success with Black voters, emphasizing a recovery from comments earlier in his career.Looking at how Carter's life led up to his presidency his impact on a personal level can be better understood. 

   While his presidency ended 44 years ago many in the Masterman community remember Carter’s presidency and the legacy he had during the tumultuous time. Mr. Gilligan, an AP government and U.S. history teacher, had the advantage of seeing Carter's presidency through a juvenile lens of his childhood memories but also through a comprehensive view as a historian. Recalling his first memories of America during his presidency: “I remember being in a really long car line because there was a gas shortage…My impression as a kid was that Jimmy Carter's presidency wasn’t that good.” Gilligan’s later views consequently became much more nuanced. About Carter's famous “Malaise Speech” Gilligan said, “Later on I learned….Jimmy Carter was a little too honest: America is in a funk. He used the word ‘Malaise’ that just didn’t fire people up…Looking back on it as a historian Jimmy Carter ended up being kind of like a Transition president. …Because of [Watergate, the pardon, and Vietnam] Jimmy Carter comes in but America is not in a good place.” Public confidence in the government was low and the economy had serious problems with stagflation, the combination of significant inflation while still having high unemployment, coming from the Vietnam War that ended with a botched withdrawal. Gilligan summed up his legacy: “He was a good man in a bad spot.” 

Ms. Mcintyre, also a history teacher, remembered how Jimmy Carter was discriminated against and discounted because of his origins in the South. In stark contrast to his actual intelligence. She specifically highlighted, “He was ahead of his time when it came to the environment…I don’t think he was celebrated enough for understanding science and what was to be.” Mcintyre also recounted his frugality and humble character saying, “He didn’t want a whole lot of fanfare but people should have still known what he was doing, the strides he was making…they weren’t talking about science at that time but he understood it all because that’s how smart he was.” 

Ms. Grey vividly remembered “The Camp David Accords.” She noted, “The peace process had never been done before and [Carter] stayed the course even when he felt it would not occur.” His character also made a strong impression on her. She recalled, “He was a kind person and he always thought about people who were not empowered…the underdog so to speak.” Carter along with his wife, Rosalynn, left an everlasting legacy with the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project under Habitat for Humanity. The project led to the repair and construction of nearly 4,500 homes and Ms. Grey viewed it with high esteem. “I’ll never forget his willingness to build housing for the unhoused…he was a skilled carpenter.” She associated his legacy with his humanitarian character. 

    Jimmy Carter's journey from a small-town boy in Georgia to the 39th President of the United States is a testament to his resilience, intelligence, and commitment to public service. Despite the challenges he faced during his time in office, Carter's century-long dedication to human rights, diplomacy, and humanitarian efforts undoubtedly left a mark on the nation and the world. The Masterman community's reflections on Carter's legacy highlight the complexity of his presidency and the profound impact of his character and actions. Carter's story is one of a good man in a difficult time, whose legacy still impacts America today.