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Jimmy Carter on Civil Rights
President of the U.S., 1977-1981
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Most animosity toward Obama is really racism
When Congressman Joe Wilson shouted "You lie!" at Obama during an address to a joint session of Congress, his apology was accepted by the president, but that did not satisfy Jimmy Carter, who said Wilson's shout had been "based on racism. There is an
inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president." Carter returned to his theme the following day: "I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based
on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African-American. I live in the South, and I've seen the South come a long way, and I've seen the rest of the country that shares the South's attitude toward minority groups at that time, particularly African
Americans."How did Carter know what was in Joe Wilson's heart? How did Carter know an "overwhelming portion" of those who had turned out for town hall meetings were motivated by "the fact that [Obama] is a black man, that he's African-American"?
Source: Suicide of a Superpower, by Pat Buchanan, p. 4-5
, Oct 18, 2011
1976: Defended ethnic enclaves formed by free association
In 1976, presidential candidate Jimmy Carter defended ethnic enclaves formed by free association and pledged not to use federal power to reengineer them: "I am not going to use the Federal Government's authority deliberately to circumvent the natural
inclination of people to live in ethnically homogeneous neighborhoods. I think it is good to maintain the homogeneity of neighborhoods if they've been established that way."To define these communities
Carter used the phrase "ethnic purity": "I have nothing against a community that's made up of people who are Polish or Czechoslovakian or French-Canadian, or black, who are trying to maintain the ethnic purity of their neighborhoods.
This is a natural inclination on the part of the people."
What Carter said of neighborhoods is what Americans who oppose mass immigration say about their country: "This is a natural inclination on the part of the people."
Source: Suicide of a Superpower, by Pat Buchanan, p.227-228
, Oct 18, 2011
Most animosity against Obama is because he's black
Perhaps the most difficult and insulting attack Tea Partiers have had to endure is the charge of racism. Former president Jimmy Carter took this charge from the lunatic fringe to the mainstream. His comments arrived several days after the massive
September 12 Taxpayer March on Washington in an attempt to explain the unpopularity of the president's health care proposal. "I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack
Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African American," Carter told "NBC Nightly News".Do Democrats really believe that any person who disagrees with President Obama's policies is inherently racist?
Of course they don't, but it's a great way to change the subject.
President Carter obviously neglected to listen to any of the actual speakers at the event he targeted with his sweeping animus (including African American speakers).
Source: Give Us Liberty, by Rep. Dick Armey, p. 83
, Aug 17, 2010
ERA is about women's rights, not gay rights nor abortion
The main obstacle to the ratification of the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment establishing gender equality) in Illinois and in Georgia and in the other States that have not yet made this decision is the allegation that it is only supported by radical kinds of
people. And the question of homosexuality and the question of abortion and religious beliefs and the sharing of restrooms and the destruction of families--these artificial arguments are put forward, .and they can best be knocked down by a
person who's known to be sound and committed and balanced and patriotic, with a stable family and a good job. Those are the kinds of people who must speak out. And the religious leaders in Illinois, and the mothers in Illinois, and the labor leaders in
Illinois, and the business leaders in Illinois and in all those States are the ones that can knock down these false allegations that influence adversely some of the members of the State legislatures in the nonratified States.
Source: Equal Rights Amendment Remarks at White House Briefing (APP)
, May 15, 1980
Established Martin Luther King Day in Georgia
Carter proclaimed January 15, 1973, Martin Luther King Day, to honor the slain black leader. An above the advice of some of his closest aides he hung King’s portrait in the state capitol. He had taken a stand against prejudice in his own community of
Plains in 1965 when he and his own family were the only one sto stand up and be counted in a vote for the admission of blacks to his church. For that, he was boycotted, his children were beaten, and their cars were pelted with stones.
Source: How Jimmy Won, by Kandy Stroud, p. 12
, Jan 1, 1977
A dozen blacks in high positions on his campaign staff
Who did like Jimmy Carter? The answer was some--but not all of the Southern liberals and blacks. How a Southerner like Carter could attract the strong support of the blacks as he did was a problem that perplexed many a Northern liberal.
Black support for Carter in the Florida primary could be explained away as an anti-Wallace vote. However, in other primaries Carter polled a large percentage of the black vote--47.6% in Illinois and 41.5% in Massachusetts.
Certain things obviously helped Carter with blacks: his excellent record in the area of race relations while governor; the fact that he had the endorsement of
Congressman Andrew Young and Martin Luther King, Sr.; and also that he had about a dozen blacks, some of them in high positions, on his campaign staff.
Source: Jimmy Who?, by Leslie Wheeler, p.123
, Jan 1, 1976
Supports the Equal Rights Amendment
Carter supports the Equal Rights Amendment. When he was governor, he worked to open more government positions to women. He says, "I am firmly committed to equality between women and men and in promoting a partnership concept in all aspects of life."
As president, he would see to it that "laws prohibiting sex discrimination in employment, advancement, education, training, credit and housing be strictly enforced;" "strong efforts be made to create federal legislation and guidelines
to eliminate sex discrimination in health and disability insurance plans;" "social security laws be revised so that women would no longer be penalized;" "women have equal access to health care
systems and voluntary family planning programs;" "adequate childcare be made available to all parents who need such care for their children."
Source: Jimmy Who?, by Leslie Wheeler, p.195
, Jan 1, 1976
Page last updated: Apr 28, 2013
