Jimmy Carter: Don’t let Harvey divide Americans

Former President Jimmy Carter in an op-ed Saturday called for neighbors to help each other recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey.

Carter wrote in a piece published by CNN that after natural disasters like Harvey, he has always been touched by the images of people helping each other after the destruction.

“And yet there are also equally powerful images of regular people — individuals just like you and me — who come alongside those who are suffering and offer comfort, support and resources,” Carter wrote. “When the waters rise, so do our better angels. I’ve seen it again and again. We all have.”

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Carter, who often works with Habitat for Humanity, said that he is also often moved by people helping each other even when a disastrous event hasn’t taken place.

He encouraged Americans to continue to help each other in the wake of Harvey and to commit themselves to being part of the long recovery process.

“There are storms that bring us together and storms that divide us. We have a chance now to choose. Harvey already has reminded us what we’re capable of, when we come together,” Carter wrote.

“The recovery ahead will be long. Our neighbors need to know they can count on us. The families affected will need our help and our attention as the work of rebuilding unfolds. If we hold our focus on the important matters at hand, we can use the power of the people to create that world we all know exists — if we will simply give it life.”