'Black Stories' and President Carter

'consequences' of sharing things as I learn em

Jan 13, 2025

Thursday | 9 January 2025

I posted a reel (short video) on Instagram about Mrs. Rachel Clark. I came across her after reading an article on President Carter (‘Different From the Other Southerners’: Jimmy Carter’s Relationship With Black America).

This was my first time hearing about her and her husband - Mr. Jack Clark and I absolutely LOVED the relationship President Carter had with them. So I decided to find out a little more about their relationship. And because my work is basically sharing as I learn, I created a short video…

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A post shared by @sallymcmullin

Well…..

Saturday | 11 January 2025

I decided to post another video answering this question - Instagram has a feature that allows you to create a video reply.

Yet again, I had NO IDEA about this! Never heard this in my life. My curiosity was BEYOND! Do you hear me!?!?

And being my usual self, as I was learning, I thought, let me share this with the community!

Most of what I shared came from this article - Jimmy Carter and Motown Founder Berry Gordy’s Surprising Connection.

Now to put you inside my brain - I wanted to

share this, as well as Mrs. Rachel Clark’s story, because President Carter recently passed (I do not always like to post around current events but sometimes I will)
be mindful of my words to HONOR MS. ESTHER JOHNSON
respect the fact that President Carter just passed away
simply answer the community question in the best way I could as I was basically learning and sharing this, damn near in real time - I did not do the same deep dive I would do when I am telling a full story.

Well.

Overall I fell like the clip was well received. A lot of people were just like me, had no idea, and found it interesting.

There were some who felt I was disrespecting someone who just passed away.

Then there were quite a few who felt I minimized or flat out dismissed what happened to Ms. Esther Johnson. I wonder if they read the caption because I made it a point to acknowledge it in my own way - consistent with MY delivery style.

OBVIOUSLY I understand the rage of how the two men are connected. I was reminded of why I leave these stories for others to tell - it is not my ministry!

For a brief moment, I considered archiving the story but then I quickly reminded myself of my intent, my heart, and my reason - which all came from a good place.

I also reminded myself that this is part of the work and I am okay with that.

But WHEW chile!

Here’s the video….

sallymcmullin