Hodding Carter III, Iconic Editor and Advisor to Jimmy Carter, Passes Away at 88
The world of journalism has lost one of its esteemed members, as Hodding Carter III passed away at the age of 88. Carter was not only known for being a crusading editor but also an advisor to former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. His dedication to freedom of speech and fighting social injustices made him an iconic figure in American media.
Early Life and Career
Born in 1935 in Hammond, Louisiana, Hodding Carter III came from a well-known family of newspaper publishers. His grandfather, Hodding Carter, Sr., won a Pulitzer Prize for his editorials against the Ku Klux Klan in Mississippi during the 1940s. Hodding Carter III continued this legacy by becoming an editor at the Greenville Delta Democrat-Times, a paper known for its support of civil rights.
Carter stood up against the Jim Crow laws and fought for racial equality during the height of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. He even faced violent threats and physical attacks for his fierce advocacy for African American rights in the South.
Career Highlights
Carter would go on to become the executive director of the Southern Regional Council and the Mississippi Council on Human Relations. In 1976, he became an advisor to then-candidate Jimmy Carter during his presidential campaign. After Carter’s victory, Carter requested Hodding Carter III to join his White House team, where he served as assistant secretary of state for public affairs.
In 1980, Carter resigned from his government position to become the editor and publisher of the Delta Democrat-Times. He continued his fearless coverage of national and local issues, including the civil rights movement, environmental policies, and the impact of poverty in the rural South.
Carter received many prestigious awards throughout his career, including the George Polk Award for his coverage of the civil rights movement in the South.
Legacy
The impact of Hodding Carter III’s life and career has made him an influential figure in American society. He dedicated his life to speaking truth to power, fighting for the underprivileged, and promoting the right to freedom of speech.
As we mourn his passing, we honor his legacy and the lasting imprint he left on American journalism and advocacy for social justice.