ANALYSIS: Jimmy Carter was a study in contrasts for Black Americans

To most Americans the recent passing of former President James Earl “Jimmy” Carter brings to mind a decent man whose term in the White House was marred by his inability to overcome the high unemployment and inflation of the 1970s, and the seizure of American hostages by Iranian students. Others remember Carter for winning the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for helping to resolve conflicts around the world.But for Black Americans, Carter was a study in contrasts. From one angle, his Black appointments and policies toward Africa were among the most effective of any president. Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young receives congratulations from late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall after he was sworn in during ceremonies at the White House, Jan. 30, 1977. Late President Jimmy Carter and late First Lady Rosalynn Carter applaud the new ambassador. Photo credit: The Associated Press In March 1978, Carter’s visit to Nigeria made him the first U.S. president to visit a sub-Saharan African country. Carter also persuaded Congress to ban the importation of chrome from white-minority dominated Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and impose additional sanctions on white-minority controlled South Africa. As part of his human rights-based foreign policy, Carter named former Martin Luther King...