On Feb. 9, 2025, the Richmond Times Dispatch published a commentary by McGuireWoods Consulting senior advisor Jim Dyke looking at the legacy of President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale and their important work promoting diversity, equity and inclusion as a way to rectify the nation’s history of chattel slavery, segregation and racial discrimination.
Dyke, the former Virginia secretary of education from 1990 to 1994, served as a domestic policy advisor to Mondale, helping set up the newly created U.S. Department of Education.
“By creating the U.S. Department of Education, Carter and Mondale ensured that the federal government played a leading role in affording equal educational opportunity to all citizens regardless of their age, race, gender, economic status, physical abilities or country of origin. Their actions and commitment hopefully will continue to produce positive outcomes in spite of the current political climate,” Dyke wrote.
Dyke noted the role that Carter played in promoting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs): “Jimmy Carter, having grown up in the Deep South and seeing up close the role race played in depriving Black Americans a chance to pursue the American dream and access education in a safe and secure environment, committed himself to finding solutions for giving everyone an equal opportunity to succeed. He was the first president to direct the federal government to increase the participation of HBCUs in federally sponsored programs.
“Carter recognized the unique role HBCUs played and would play in the lives of Black citizens and the nation. HBCUs have always been critical to the success of Black Americans. HBCUs created the Black middle class and a community of students able to receive an education free from fear. HBCUs are responsible for 75% of Black Ph.Ds., 80% of Black federal judges, 85% of Black doctors, 50% of Black attorneys and 75% of Black military officers.”
Dyke also noted the unique behaviors of both leaders. “Both men were so impressive, inspiring and compassionate that I look back over the four special years I worked with President Carter and Vice President Mondale as one of the great highlights of my life. Their passing has left a void in my life, and, as the news reports show, the loss of a moral compass in the life of our country.
“As I reflect on my unique experiences with President Carter and Vice President Mondale and look at our current political landscape and the debate about education, history and equity, I’m reminded of something Mondale frequently said, both in humorous and in serious moments, ‘Let’s have some dignity here.’” I try to live my life with that sage advice in mind.
