I grew up in a small rural village. It's full of wonderful and wonderful people. But, as I am sure you know, dear reader, I have often heard my friends excuse the prejudices and narrow-mindedness of their relatives with simple expressions such as: “Oh, they're from a different era.”
Well, Jimmy Carter was born 100 years ago in rural Georgia. And he supported civil rights for black Americans throughout his life.
He reminded me of my white grandfather, also from a “different time” in a small town, who wholeheartedly accepted his mixed-race grandson.
We are all creatures of our time and place. But as Mr. Carter showed, this need not prevent us from doing the right thing.
Carter rose to the most powerful position in the world. As a public servant, “he helped advance four of the great movements of the 20th century: civil rights, women's rights, human rights abroad, and the environment.”Words from journalist Jonathan Alter.
Mr. Carter never used the presidency to enrich himself, neither during his time in office nor during his 40 years since returning to Georgia. He worked around the world to build peace, promote democracy, eradicate disease, and build housing for the poor.
In all of this, Carter famously was guided by a deep Christian faith that led him to embrace humility and exercise leadership in service to all of God's people.
The contrast between the president-elect and the many religious leaders who have tolerated or tolerated his corruption, brutality, and self-glorification could not be greater.
I have heard people say in their grief over Carter's death that he may have been unique, or the last of his kind. In their despair about the direction our country is going, they point to Trumpism, which we have won for the time being, and the aggressive white people he has mobilized and manipulated to his own advantage. It suggests that we will be plagued by Christian nationalism.
I don't accept that.
Indeed, Trump and his allies are gaining power to do great damage. I am angry that so much of this is done in the name of my faith. I am a progressive Christian and attend a Baptist church in Washington, DC.Where Jimmy Carter taught Sunday schoolwhen he was president.
As an American and an activist, I will do everything I can to minimize the damage and work with everyone I can.
It is a cruel situation that Donald Trump will be inaugurated as president on a day that celebrates the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who demonstrated the power of an inclusive religious vision that called for Americans to build beloved communities. is. That power is still available to us.
Despite Trump's narrow election victory, he dismantled protections for workers, families, and communities and gave unaccountable corporations and powerful billionaires even more power over our lives. I believe that most Americans will not support the Trump team's plan to give them
I believe that millions of American Christians will view efforts to reverse progress toward dignity and equality for all people as a betrayal of the example and teachings of Jesus, whom Jimmy Carter adored. I believe it.
Carter reminded me of another great American, Norman Lear. He was the founder of my organization, People for the American Way, and was born two years before Carter and died one year before Carter.
Lear believed that authoritarian religious right movements could pose a threat to freedom and equality in a multicultural nation like ours. Lear was a Jew and sought to maintain a secular government and separation of church and state.
At the same time, he thought it was a mistake for progressive leaders not to speak more openly about the ways in which their beliefs and values motivate efforts to build a just and inclusive society. . It leaves room for right-wing con artists and Christian nationalists to falsely claim the moral high ground for policies that exclude and harm others, and to falsely claim that they represent the only voices of true faith. created.
Jimmy Carter proved they weren't. He showed us a different path.
He was a devout Christian who believed that political and religious leaders should strive to create a society in which all people can achieve their dreams. Millions of us, of all faiths and non-believers, share that vision.
It's no surprise that a death like Jimmy Carter's, especially on the eve of upcoming changes in Washington, feels like the end of an era to many. But a new era always begins. New generations are always rising up for responsibility and leadership.
Now is our time.
Mr. Svante Myrick american people.
