President Jimmy Carter's Relationship With the Black Community

Start Slideshow

Image for article titled Black America's Reaction to Former President Jimmy Carter's Death, Carter's Complicated Relationship With Black America, A Collection of Photos of Carter's Impact on the Black Community, The Former President is Related to What Black Music Mogul? — Graphic: Images: David Hume Kennerly, Hulton Archive, Bettmann, Bettmann Archive

Previous Slide

Next Slide

2 / 9

Black Twitter Reacts to President Jimmy Carter’s Death at 100

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States of America and the longest-living American president, passed away at the age of 100 on Sunday. — Noah A. McGee

Previous Slide

Next Slide

3 / 9

Jimmy Carter Was the First Politician to Listen, Openly, To Black Folks

A few years ago, I spoke with civil rights icon Andrew Young and in my conversation, I asked him about being appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. He told me that his international perspective came from the people from the Black diaspora that he met through the Black church.

It was a perspective he was able to lend because of the vision of his friend Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, who died Sunday at 100. Young was appointed to the role by Carter in 1977 and served until 1979, the first African American in the position. — Madison J. Gray

Previous Slide

Next Slide

4 / 9

Wait, What? Jimmy Carter Was Blood Related to This Black Living Legend?

Former President Jimmy Carter’s dedication to service and commitment to human rights are among the reasons Black people are deeply mourning his passing on December 29 at age 100. — Angela Johnson

Previous Slide

Next Slide

5 / 9

16 Photos Showing How Black Folks Got Down With Jimmy Carter

Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson, former President Jimmy Carter, and MLB Legend Hank Aaron

Former President Jimmy Carter’s relationship with Black America hasn’t been perfect, but in light of his Dec. 29 passing at age 100, it’s time we go back in history and remember his impact on the Black community. — Phenix S Halley

Previous Slide

Next Slide

6 / 9

Jimmy Carter’s Strange and Complicated Legacy With Black America

Former President Jimmy Carter sits on the Atlanta Falcons bench before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Diego Chargers, Oct. 23, 2016,

At the ripe age of 100, Jimmy Carter, a former peanut farmer, was the 39th president of the United States and the longest living American president. He died Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, according to his son James E. Carter III per The Washington Post. Beloved and misunderstood, Carter especially had a complicated relationship with Black America. It might surprise you to learn that the man who would eventually win the overwhelming support of Black voters for President (twice), wasn’t always seen as a friend to the Black community. — Jessica Washington

Previous Slide

Next Slide

7 / 9

Who Were The Best Presidents For Black Americans?

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 01: Former U.S. President Barack Obama

Let’s be real: even if your love for former President Barack Obama runs deep, most people aren’t thinking about their favorite President this weekend. — Jessica Washington

Previous Slide

Next Slide

8 / 9

President Biden Officially Recognizes June as Black Music Appreciation Month

We are always going to celebrate Black music because that’s just what we do on a daily basis, but President Joe Biden issued a proclamation early this week officially recognizing June as Black Music Appreciation Month. — Noah A. McGee

Black America's Reaction to Former President Jimmy Carter's Death, Carter's Complicated Relationship With Black America, A Collection of Photos of Carter's Impact on the Black Community, The Former President is Related to What Black Music Mogul?

As the nation pauses for a National Day of Mourning for its oldest living president, "The Root" looks at Jimmy Carter's relationship to the Black community.