Portrait of Jimmy Carter
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Jimmy Carter on Civil Rights

Strong integration advocate (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Jimmy Carter evolved from a pragmatic Southern politician to a vocal champion of integration and equal justice for all Americans.

Key Points

  • As governor, he increased Black appointees on Georgia state boards and agencies from three to 53 between 1971 and 1975.

  • During his 1976 presidential run, he won 95% of the Black vote, contrasting sharply with his 45% of the White vote in the South.

  • As president, he appointed more women and people of color to federal judiciary positions than all prior US administrations combined.

Summary

Jimmy Carter held a progressively strong position on civil rights, rooted in experiences from his Georgia childhood in the predominantly Black community of Archery. While serving as a state senator from 1963 to 1967, he advocated for pro-integrationist stances, including working to repeal laws hindering Black voting rights. This early candor contributed to losing his first gubernatorial bid in 1966 to a segregationist.

Following this, he strategically shifted his rhetoric during the 1970 gubernatorial race, sometimes using the broader term "human rights" instead of specific racial appeals to secure necessary white votes. However, upon taking office as governor, Carter made his core belief clear by declaring "the time for racial discrimination is over" and significantly increased Black appointments across state government, demonstrating a long-term commitment to advancing equal opportunity.

Key Quotes

“Because we are free, we can never be indifferent to the fate of freedom elsewhere. Our moral sense dictates a clear-cut preference for those societies which share with us an abiding respect for individual human rights.”

“When you single out any particular group of people for secondary citizenship status, that's a violation of basic human rights.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Jimmy Carter's core position was a strong belief in integration and equal justice, which he stated explicitly upon becoming Georgia's governor in 1971. This position was shaped by his upbringing near a predominantly Black community in Archery, Georgia. Throughout his career, he worked to dismantle discriminatory practices.

Yes, his public stance evolved in response to political realities, particularly in Georgia, according to historical accounts. While a state senator, he was openly pro-integration, which contributed to a loss in 1966. For his 1970 successful gubernatorial run, he moderated his language, focusing on 'human rights' to avoid alienating segregationist white voters.

Once in office as Georgia's governor, Jimmy Carter asserted that the 'time for racial discrimination is over' and moved to advance Black representation. He increased the number of Black appointees in state government significantly and supported reforms like prison changes and equal state aid for schools, according to records.

Sources8

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.