Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, have asked white people to use their privilege to stand up and join the fight against "immoral economic disparities between whites and blacks."
His call comes as the nation confronts its long history of racial division after the murder of George Floyd, a black man, by a white Minneapolis police officer.
"Rosalynn and I are pained by the tragic racial injustices and consequent backlash across our nation in recent weeks," Carter wrote in a statement. "Our hearts are with the victims' families and all who feel hopeless in the face of pervasive racial discrimination and outright cruelty."
In the statement, Carter lamented the lack of progress that's been made since he held office.
"As a white male of the South, I know all too well the impact of segregation and injustice to African Americans," he wrote.
"As a politician, I felt a responsibility to bring equity to my state and our country. In my 1971 inaugural address as Georgia's governor, I said: 'The time for racial discrimination is over,'" Carter continued.
"With great sorrow and disappointment, I repeat those words today, nearly five decades later," Carter wrote. "Dehumanizing people debases us all; humanity is beautifully and almost infinitely diverse. The bonds of our common humanity must overcome the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices."
In his statement, Carter echoes one of the most powerful themes of the George Floyd protests across the country: white people need to accept responsibility for the country's racial imbalance and do something about it.
"In this quest, we have seen that silence can be as deadly as violence," Carter wrote. "People of power, privilege, and moral conscience must stand up and say 'no more' to a racially discriminatory police and justice system, immoral economic disparities between whites and blacks, and government actions that undermine our unified democracy."
"We need a government as good as its people, and we are better than this," he concluded.
It's not surprising that Jimmy Carter would speak out on issues of race. He has been standing up for civil rights for over 70 years.
In 1954, when Carter was a peanut farmer in Plains, Georgia, a Baptist minister came to him asking to join a White Citizens' Council. The council was set up as a response to the Brown vs. Board of Education decision that desegregated schools.
The minister asked Carter to give him $5 for dues to the council. "I've got $5," Carter responded. "And I'd flush it down the toilet before I'd give it to you."
During his time as a Georgia state senator in the '60s, Carter worked to overturn laws that made it challenging for blacks to vote. As president, he named more people of color and women to the judiciary than all previous presidents combined.
Carter also launched the Black College Initiative to give historically black colleges and universities more federal support and developed initiatives to help minority-owned businesses.
In 2014, Carter was the first U.S. president to speak at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library Civil Rights Summit. At the event, he called for the country to do more in support of civil rights.
"There's still a gross disparity between black and white people on education and employment," he said. "A good amount of schools in the South are still segregated."
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.