Ex-President Jimmy Carter was moved into hospice care at the age of 98. After a span of nine months, he lost his life partner of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter. Ironically, his last desire was to support Kamala Harris in her presidential race, which, thankfully, did not result in an election victory against Donald Trump. Unfortunately for Carter, he didn’t live long enough to see another term of Trump. He breathed his last on the 29th of December at the age of 100.
Subsequently, on January 9, the former president’s casket graced the steps of the Washington National Cathedral, draped with the American flag and escorted by a special military honor guard. The cathedral’s entryway opened wide for his state funeral where the guests, including every living U.S. president and vice president, were already awaiting inside.
The attendees of the funeral also consisted of Supreme Court dignitaries, the House and Senate leadership, foreign leaders of the state, along with roughly 3,000 other guests. The event was not merely a mourning or celebration of Carter’s life but rather it served as a glaring revelation of the intricate dilemmas looming over the government and the nation.
These dilemmas primarily involve preparing for the new president at a time when the climate issue is creating unprecedented destruction – a catastrophic revelation from an event that was aiming to celebrate life and bid farewell to a former leader.
The chosen venue for Carter’s funeral was nothing short of rich in history and symbolism. Serving as an unexpectedly apt location for this particular handoff, it’s recognized as the sixth-largest cathedral worldwide and second-largest in the U.S. Further adding to its uniqueness, the cathedral is also known for its continuous reinventions.
Within the confines of the cathedral crypt lies the final resting place of Matthew Shepard, a homosexual student who tragically lost his life due to hate crime-induced injuries in 1998. This poignant memory serves as a stark reminder of the cathedral’s advocacy for social justice.
The cathedral holds several other testaments to its progressive stance on social justice as well. For instance, it showcases several artworks commissioned from Latimore. These paintings, now part of a seventh-floor exhibit, signify the struggle of people advocating for social justice through various ages.
As the mourning for Carter proceeded, the underlying themes became clearer. The dual-purpose of this ceremony included both, a celebration of Carter’s life, along with a prophetic message for the incoming President.
However, it’s noteworthy that many perceive this message for the new presidency as a form of indirect criticism. Stressing on the major challenges that lie ahead with the new political shuffling, this funeral represented more complexity than a mere send-off to a late president.
Arguably, the aim seems to be using Carter’s life as a means to usher an ominous warning to the new leadership. Casting a gloomy shadow over the incoming administration, the funeral underscored the grave concerns that many have with the inadequacies of current leadership, especially regarding climate change.
The sequence of events signifies a conscious effort to provoke thought about the upcoming president’s responsibility in tackling global issues. Ironically, the funeral of a former president was used as a platform to question and cast doubt on the competence of the future administration.
The impending climate calamity, as voiced in the funeral, despite being a global concern, was seemingly presented as a sphere where the incoming administration is expected to fail. As such, it’s evident that anticipation is high for the inability of the leadership to effectively manage this crisis.
This state funeral was undoubtedly marked with inspiring homage to the past President Carter. Nevertheless, the event portrayed the grim picture of the future in the face of the upcoming administration.
The message intended for the incoming leadership stands as a stark contrast to supposedly celebrating Carter’s life. This striking difference raises questions about motivations that underline the proceedings.
To conclude, the entire event painted a picture that walks the line between acknowledging a late president’s life efforts and raising concerns regarding the upcoming administration. While the ceremony commemorated Carter’s life, it shed light on the skepticism associated with the new presidency, particularly concerning environmental issues.