Lesson 2: Jimmy Carter—Responsible Citizen
Handout 1

Background Notes To the Teacher:

Carter has been active in public life for over three decades. Many action groups have developed over this time.

For example:

1970s

  • Grey Panthers - senior citizens organize
  • Guardian Angels, 1979 - Devils Night, protection/NY subways
  • Scared Straight - young kids taken to prisons to scare them
  • Support group for the Iran Hostages
  • World Hunger Year - the Hunger Project
  • 1979 - International Year of Children
  • 1971 - Greenpeace founded
  • Spring 1970 - Earth Day
  • Clean up of Lake Erie
  • Consumer groups - Ralph Nader
  • Habitat for Humanity

    1980-1990

  • Anti-apartheid movement
  • Entertainment community mobilizes for causes. (We Are the World")
  • Sports Illustrated highlights people who care
  • Corporations begin to ask employees to volunteer
  • Literacy corps programs
  • Hands Across America
  • Just Say No program
  • AIDS organizations begin to form
  • MADD
  • SADD
  • Sanctuary movement by churches, to protect political dissidents
  • U.S. and world reaction to earthquakes, mudslides, hurricanes
  • Term "community service" is the key term in this period

    1990-today

  • Rebuilding communities such as Detroit, forming stronger neighborhoods
  • Violence and abuse issues tackled
  • Drug Education such as DARE program
  • Church youth becoming more active
  • Homelessness--starting to focus on it as not just individuals but families.