On Dec. 29, Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States died at age 100. If you spent any time driving on Wisconsin Avenue the week of his passing, you probably noticed the traffic was terrible. You also probably noticed the National Cathedral was hemmed in by a large steel fence and surrounded by security guards. Well, just a few hundred meters from the cathedral, the body of Carter lay in repose while politicians, former presidents and family alike gathered for his funeral.
Of our nation’s former presidents, none have had the philanthropic impact of Carter, who worked frequently with Habitat for Humanity and his own Carter Center, both of which strove to improve social welfare globally. Through his work, Carter seeked to wage peace and build a safer, healthier and more affordable world for all. He upheld many of GDS’s values. We, as a community, should be paying more attention to his passing and aim to emulate the noble acts he did throughout his life.
Carter’s legacy in Washington can be aptly described as mixed. He promoted democratic ideals and human rights as the basis of international relations, established the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Energy, and helped secure peace between Israel and its neighbors with the Camp David Accords, yet he struggled in dealing with the 1979 Iranian Revolution and its geopolitical fallout and led an unpopular boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.
Yet, even with such a mixed track record, Carter persisted and showed that his dedication to the American people and the citizens of the globe extended beyond his time in office. In one of his most famous post-office exploits, Carter funded the construction of 4,390 homes while working with Habitat for Humanity. All the while, he organized a foundation that has strived to support world health care and world peace.
Here at GDS, Carter’s legacy should ring true to our mission. GDS clubs and administration proudly support various social justice causes, from the recent People’s March led by the Enviro Club to GDS’s partnership with the Friendship Place shelter for people experiencing homelessness. The GDS mission statement claims that students will graduate with “the willingness and capacity to bring needed change to a troubled world.” While Carter is seldom discussed at GDS, his effort to create a more equitable world is one of the truest reflections of GDS values in a former president.
I implore GDS students with an interest in the world of politics to follow Carter’s lead. American democracy depends on honest politics and genuine dedication to helping others that extends beyond maintaining power. With the darkening trend in both the Democratic and Republican parties towards disunity and political conniving, a new era of humanity-centered politics is necessary if this country is to progress from its current state of division.
In good times and bad, Carter sought to stand by the American people. Yes, his presidency was not perfect and is likely best left unrepeated, but even when he was decisively voted out of office, he conceded. Then he moved on and continued to work in the interests of his constituents. That is a true virtue.
GDS leadership should reflect the honest level of dedication in Carter’s leadership, going beyond surface-level assemblies and political discourse. Students can already find peers, teachers and coaches who work tirelessly and selflessly to promote others’ success and well-being. Honesty, charity, empathy and devotion are the non-negotiable standards which GDS students should hold to leadership groups like the Student Staff Council, the Disciplinary Consultation Committee or the school administration itself.
Carter’s final service was held at an epicenter of some of DC’s major private schools. Sidwell Friends School, St. Albans School, the National Cathedral School and others all lie within walking distance of the National Cathedral, where Carter’s service was held. Yet Carter was the first and only president since 1906 to have sent his children to public schools while in office. He was also a major proponent of building robust and competitive public school systems, a major factor in his creation of the Department of Education.
As much as I ask GDS students to reflect on how Carter’s values mirror those taught at GDS, it would be foolish to forget Carter’s belief that private schools are elitist. That is a more complicated reflection to reconcile with while sitting in one of the most elite and expensive private schools in the District of Columbia.
There will always be some elitism in a private school setting, but a good and driven education can make a difference. Carter’s legacy can prompt us to reflect on both the positive qualities of our values and the cons of a private school. His legacy can also inspire us to hold our leadership accountable to reinforce GDS as a positive contribution to American society. All we have to do is listen.