A Presidential Encounter: How Jimmy Carter and Andy Young Shaped My Interest in Foreign Policy

Presidential candidate Jimmy Carter waves as he arrives Tabernacle Baptist Church, 4130 S. Indiana Ave., to campaign in Rep. Ralph Metcalfe’s district in 1976. (Bob Fila/Chicago Tribune)

By: Dr. Jimmy Lee Tillman, II

There are some experiences that are unique to children of former Dr. King staffers. We often overlooked the conversations and lessons we learned from contemporary historical figures, referring to them as Uncle this or Auntie that. We seldom realized the 'Movements' we were around or the impact they would have. I reflected on this as I watched President Carter's funeral. What many historians have glossed over is how Carter's presidency was the result of the grassroots mobilization of former civil rights activists headed up by Congressman Andrew Young, Jr. Young organized massive voter registration drives throughout urban America and utilized principles and strategies from Dr. King's SCLC successes. I recall during Carter's campaign, many of these "Movement People" visited with us in Chicago, including Uncle Andy, who, like most civil rights vets, took particular interest in speaking (preaching) to the children. He would encourage us to share our ideas on current affairs and even challenge us at such young ages to come up with our own thesis. "Why do you think this happened and what do you think should be changed, if needed?"

Young and Mrs. Coretta Scott King supported Carter and that was enough for Black Americans to vote for him. In 1976, at 8 years old, I was able to meet Jimmy Carter at my boyhood church, Tabernacle Missionary Baptist. I shook his hand and told him my dad's, and my name was Jimmy, too. He said it was a good name. I told him that he should win because everybody loves the name Jimmy and we are natural winners. He responded with a big smile and said, "I sure hope you're right." After he won, I became interested in national politics, considering myself some sort of genius.

In 1977, when Young accepted President Carter’s offer to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, I asked him what that meant. When he explained that he would represent America across the world, I was so inspired. Not long after all of the battles for civil rights in America, Uncle Andy would be its face. I imagined that Dr. King would be proud. I would pay close attention of any news about the United Nations.

Around 1978, while watching the television premiere of the movie King Kong, the show was interrupted because of President Carter successfully brokered Camp David Peace Accord, making peace between Egypt and Israel. This upset me at first because I had been waiting to see this movie, but then my dad said we were witnessing history. As we watched Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin sign the agreement, I felt very proud because Jimmy Carter was making peace in the Middle East.

A few years later, on October 6, 1981, Sadat was assassinated. I found it incomprehensible that a man seeking peace, akin to Dr. King, would face such a fate. I needed a better understanding of what was going on. I began what has now become a lifelong study of U.S. foreign policy. I would read, watch, or listen to anything related.

During the Chicago Public Library summer reading program at the Hall Branch, while my sister was trying to set the record for most books read, I spent my time reading the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and old Harper's Weekly. I was thrilled when the librarian finally let me write about the articles so I could get book report credits for White Sox tickets. Because of these reports, I got even more familiar with international news, geography, and world leaders.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have met many great men, but two in particular, President Jimmy Carter and Ambassador Andrew Young, helped shape my geopolitical interests from an early age. Like many, my views have changed over time. One thing that has not changed is my wish for the end to the wars and suffering.