Barbara Jordan, Democratic National Convention Keynote Speech, 1976, part 1

Part one of Barbara Jordan's historic Democratic National Convention keynote speech in 1976. Jordan made history by being the first African American woman to deliver keynote speeches at a Democratic National Convention.

[@BrianMeyerscoach215]

Met her and hosted her as a Carter surrogate at Indiana University in the fall of 76. Felt I was in the presence of greatness.

[@LowLuvR117]

Brian Meyers awesome

[@missmary2877]

...You WERE in the presence of greatness.

[@fancybrooks3156]

You WERE!

[@OkieGal2]

@Brian Meyers Whoa.

[@nicholasgray1057]

Agree, You WERE in the presence of greatness.

[@techsysengineer5135]

We could really use someone of this stature, intellect & integrity today....

[@paymonbidari278]

I second that.

[@OkieGal2]

Ditto for 2020

[@barbarawagner2888]

Amen

[@NajSinghs]

💃❤😍

[@daveashby9989]

Amen to that !!

[@paulademedeiros1857]

I love that she never refers to herself as a woman or of a particular race, she is simply the person Barbara Jordan!

[@sharipehl7850]

I remember when she spoke to the delegates at the International Association of Personnel In Employment Security International meeting on what it meant to be a public servant. Inspiring!!!

[@gabriellamar2683]

It wasn't necessary. They knew she was a Black woman, and they knew the significance of her being a keynote speaker.

[@jettcarlburg356]

"But there is something different about tonight, there is something special about tonight. What is different, what is special, I Barbara Jordan, am a keynote speaker!!!!!"

[@82austinut]

I was in high school and can still remember this speech. It was one of the greatest moments--let alone speeches--in American history. It was a watershed moment to hear and see someone so eloquent and so comfortable and confident in herself, and for that person to be a politician. Those were heady times. America really seemed ready to move forward on the issue of race. Sadly, that was undone just a few years later.

[@RiseUp1000]

Brilliant speech, brilliantly written and delivered. Just as inspiring today, and just as relevant, as it was back in 1976.

[@clairecafaro1671]

We need Barbara Jordan's voice today more than ever. Her impeachment speech should be broadcast daily, to educate the public about the constitutional safeguards against presidential abuse of power.

[@trackie1957]

Sadly, not many of us can stay focused long enough to listen to the whole speech. Much easier to read a tweet or change the channel. A functional democracy requires an informed public. The way to dismantle a democracy is not through force of arms, but through misinformation. If we are too lazy to look critically at the misinformation we are being fed, we are derelict in our duty to defend our democracy.

[@tonye.5410]

Unfortunately the democratic demonic party has been the downfall of America. Believe that. Look where we have fallen too. Vote conservative!! As a black man, I have voted conservative for the past 20 years and its freeing!! Wake up people!

[@roughacresrlmckee6858]

What a great loss to us all. She died much, much too young.

[@missmary2877]

Yes. Yes, she did.

[@m.ali6913]

@@missmary2877 when she died?

[@a4ur8]

@@m.ali6913 Barbara Jordan passed away on January 17, 1996 of pneumonia at the age of just 59.

[@m.ali6913]

@@a4ur8 mm, thank you

[@a4ur8]

@@m.ali6913 You're very welcome

[@Magnolia1955]

Barbara Jordan was a phenomenal woman. She would have made an outstanding president. I admire her "spunk."

[@jeffutubepassword]

Sub Dolphin Not an English accent, exactly. It is more “mid-Atlantic,” a way of speaking and elocution that was taught earlier in the 20th century in the northeast to journalists, actors, and orators. It’s very American, in fact.

[@asalinjeri]

Was not the first African-American woman to give the keynote at a national party convention....was the first woman and the first African-American to do so!

[@TSUJordanArchives]

+Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes She was not first woman to give the keynote at a national party convention. That was Anne Armstrong in 1972 at the Republican National Convention.

[@asalinjeri]

+TSUJordanArchives thanks for the correction...should have known that as Ms. Armstrong is a fellow New Orleanian...so Ms. Jordan was the first woman keynote of the DNC.

[@ComedyJesus]

Not only one of the greatest speeches of all time, but a seriously gifted orator and inspiring human being. I once saw the statue of her that's inside the Austin airport and I got goosebumps.

[@guardianfanCLE]

I don't hear an English accent and my wife is British. You have no idea what you are talking about.

[@tranurse]

that isn't a fake English accent, it is a very refined Southern accent.

[@tranurse]

you aint from down here, are you?

[@tranurse]

oh, and here's an example... Fritz Hollings, the former senator from South Carolina.

[@RobertHerndon]

Why do we feed trolls?

[@wesking2973]

An iconic and great American: Barbara Jordan. She was a real leader. She served with courage and integrity.

[@geraldjohnson848]

Feb.21: Happy birthday Attorney Barbara C. Jordan; first African American elected to Texas Senate after Reconstruction; first Southern African American woman elected to US House of Representatives, educator, author (1936-1996) thank you and God bless. RIP. Thanks for the upload, TSUJordanArchives. Blessings

[@CaliforniaAfrican]

I remember watching this as a little girl and feeling so inspired. Thank you, Ms. Jordan, for all of your work to make this country better.

[@jettcarlburg356]

I remember listening to her give this speech in 1976 when I was 15 years old. It still brings me to tears 40 years later, especially in light of the political climate we are in now. :'(

[@susanharris8626]

Jett Carlburg me, too! She touched me . I was awestruck. Trump2020.

[@missmary2877]

@@susanharris8626 WTF. Trump2020?? Barbara Jordan is spinning in her grave.

[@melodymurdock459]

I was 14. I remember !!

[@abralaventana]

I am a conservative republican. I have ALWAYS loved this magnificent woman. Absolutely a first-class American citizen.

[@judyschnabel7677]

I still remember her distinctive voice. What a treasure she was.

[@renegomez3061]

She makes me proud to have been born and raised in Houston Texas. We are Texans first and American second.

[@82austinut]

She was the first woman of any race to deliver the keynote address at any major party convention!

[@punknhead23]

No. Anne Armstrong delivered a keynote address at the Republican National Convention in 1972.

[@jettcarlburg356]

"The honorable Barbara Jordan, Democrat from Houston, Texas" DAMN RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@judedesilva8366]

Rep.Barbara Jordan (D-Texas), who electrified our country, who inspired the world with her great address at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, when then-Governor Jimmy Carter was nominated. #RIPBarbaraJordan 😢😢 #TheDemocrats 🌐🌎🌍🌏🌐

[@daronw1533]

Barbara Jordan is a Star of Texas! Oh to have leaders with this kind of integrity! What a Statesman! A TRUE UBERMAN!SALUTE YOUR HONOR! RIP

[@roymerritt6992]

This woman is one of the greatest American orators to ever exist. She spoke with authority and moral confidence. She left this world far to soon.

[@jaymiller8859]

This is 2020. Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter still live!

[@ophs1980]

This speech by Barbara Jordan is why I became a Democrat. What an amazing and inspirational person she was

[@marciawalden]

I believe we ALL are outraged and would like it to stop; however, the people who are here should be able to become citizens of this country. It's far easier for a white European to become a citizen than for a POC and that is not fair!

Anyone that uses the term people of color has lost all credibility , at the start.

[@Indeasepensable]

It almost feels like she was Barak Obama before there was a Barak Obama. They both speak in such a way that you feel inspired and uplifted. It would have so incredibly special if she was given at a different time in our country. She was a person well before her time.

[@dr3putt62]

She was

[@techsysengineer5135]

A great speaker, a great mind.

[@wendymills8592]

Stunning.

[@guomondur9248]

Such a great orator

[@libbywashington8776]

Very honored to have attended my high school named after her” Barbara Jordan High School for Careers” in Houston, Tx. Love you my lady💙🌹💙🌹💙🌹

[@michaellazzeri2069]

I remember seeing this, with tears in my eyes ! I loved this woman ! -----------MJL, 75 y/o

[@laurencaulton103]

The great Congresswoman from Texas, Barbara Jordan. A powerful speaker. She was a member of the House committee investigating Watergate.

[@arthro9259]

People are smoking in the audience. My how times have changed.

[@bungus5814]

a 37.8 million adults still smoke cigarettes just in the US. No doubt the rate of smoking has gone down, but now everywhere is a no smoke zone, so you don't see them as much.

[@hourlynewscaster]

Arthur, sorry you feel that way. I don't sense arrogance in her voice, I sense an incredibly organized woman who used our language to make some very important points.

[@Hollywhite1]

hourlynewscaster ....well said... that’s HIS ISSUE .

[@tranurse]

we need some real statesmen and stateswomen today.....

[@jaycarneygiants]

wow.... very powerful.

[@TheMotz55]

I remember that speech in 1976. She was the real deal and would have made a great president.

[@beverlypunterknox6356]

Powerful! Someone with her integrity is the kind of individual needed to stand firm against the watering down of our Constitution today. She is surely missed

[@cutiepatootie5686]

This makes my dreams come true.

[@hammie728]

Thanks for this, I watched this for my Analysis of Public Discourse course in college.

[@briliant8]

I was 1 year old when this happened. So happy to hear this lady speak.

[@lesthebest3171]

After this speech Carter should have made her Attorney General of the US. And had not her health declined I believe she would have been nominated by President Clinton for the Supreme Court. We lost a national treasure when she died.

[@melaubach]

I agree with you that Barbara Jordan would have been an extraordinary and historically consequential Supreme Court Justice. The sad reality that she died before this could have been done is one of the most unfortunate losses for the sake of our country and its people.

[@donnatant3993]

Greatest female Democrat ever!

[@terraserpico]

Those were the good ole days of politics. We need more people like her in the political process today. Unfortunately nowadays both political parties are represented by a bunch of clowns who refuse to work with each other to get stuff done in order to move the country forward. America is stronger when it's united, not divided like it is today. One thing is for certain, whoever wins the election in November, prepare for another four or eight years of division because both of these candidates do not have what it takes to unite the country behind them. This is one of those elections where you're not voting for someone, but actually voting against someone and that's never a good thing. I salute people like Barbara Jordan, a true patriot.

[@BrianBaccus]

Now govt is run by big banks and corporations

[@rianalauren]

great, brilliant and needs to be heard by sll.

[@hilaryapril7043]

I'm watching this on February 27 2021...I remember watching this in 1976 when I lived in NYC ....wish I had a time machine..."we" really have regressed!!

[@marksacher3866]

A great American. We need more people like this today in our government.

[@klebmo]

She would have really been a neat President. Compare her to the politicians we have now in both parties. We need more Barbara Jordans.

[@acajudi100]

R.I.P. 💕❤️🇺🇸😊💯💯💯💯

[@rarerhinostudiosllc7625]

The Gods bestowed upon the American people a truly great and Rare individual. The Honorable Barbara Jordon was a Rare, Special Statemen given to us by the heavens above! I wish she was here today to teach us, unite us, and inspire us to take responsibility of our civic obligations to demand that our liberties need not be deferred. She would tell us in a manner which would be understood by We The People.

[@jacquelinehowardproduction4298]

Listening at this Great Lady instead of listening at trumps state of the union. Thank Ms. Jordan!

[@karbon9703]

Got here from the new SAT study guide. I should really be studying

[@Hollywhite1]

Bradley Eversley Lol lol

[@user-tr3lf5bq7k]

Same!!!

[@evanchreene7973]

When the Democratic Party gave the individual hope that they had party to give them a voice.

[@jo-lynnsexpressions8803]

Where was this lesson in my history class in High School from 1983 to 1986?

[@ricardoflores8012]

Love the way she talking

[@maxjamies6828]

I go to her school

[@audraeden8923]

Several sections need to be spliced and used to seal the deal. Vote blue. Vote. Barbara Jordan’s words resonate. She’s a great American.

[@ColethaAlbert]

Our concept of governing depends on our concept of people... - B. Jordan ---- So very poignant, and true today on November 2, 2012 as it was in 1976. Barbara Jordan's definition of the people encompasses the Tea Party as well? It is something to think about....

[@makellasafe]

I never even knew! I wasn't even born yet!!

[@barbarawagner2888]

Amen

[@wendyk4565]

Amazing

[@steverodak2230]

The Democrats of today would censor Barbara Jordan because she stands for constitutionality, due process, and lawful immigration. I always looked up to Barbara Jordan as a real American statesman and not a politician.

[@TheSouthernMensch]

Texas Southern University Alumni !!!!!!!

[@tedcarter8074]

That's what we are talking about.

[@denisegray70]

Oh I wish she was here TODAY what would she say about the GOP AND Democratic and of course #45 can you just see her face when he open his mouth

[@carmor7981]

Denise Gray She wouldn't have been involved in the shenanigans of the Demoncrats of today but rather she would eloquently searched for solutions and to bridge our differences in a graceful manner that would make any adversary listen to her discourse.

[@Tony-eo7mx]

Came across this from 91.7 in Detroit. Read Etta Baker, Ida B Wells, she is next.

[@seymourbutts2530]

I Barbara Jordan am a keynote schpeeka.

[@Sa.Fa12]

❤️❤️

[@melodymurdock459]

❤

[@joshmills5219]

It seems so very wrong Ms. Jordan did not live to see the Obama inaugural 2009. I was not alive in '76 but it seems like a possibility for transformation felt closer back then. We've barely survived total destruction.

[@paymonbidari278]

Now that's presidential material.

[@Na9rawi87]

How come they didn’t make movie about her?

[@jettcarlburg356]

where is the audio???

[@wlee1220]

@Shiloh Dawg I hope you've changed your mind about that since then. I'm an African American, not an American African.

[@dragonboypayne21]

Who's Still Watching in 2018? BJ vs. Trump She'd win No doubt.

[@linzylu3565]

Wish we had this quality of VP picks like Barbara Jordan and Shirley Chisholm,

[@DavidJ-iz8wl]

She ruled lol

[@bushdid911jetfuelcantmelts4]

She sounds like a female James Earl Jones.

[@TheDirtyyoungman1]

When she said "the grand American experiment has failed" .... she lost me..I don't think it has failed at all...

[@punknhead23]

She says people have the "feeling" that it is failing or has failed. I'm sure some did and do "feel" that it has failed.

[@melaubach]

@@punknhead23 I agree. It depends on the individual’s experience. If you’re someone like Donald Trump, Bezos, Zuckerberg, etc., you probably feel that the “American Dream” has done well by you. But there are far too many Americans now (as there were in 1976) for whom that same “American Dream” feels (or felt then) like a failure and nothing more than just a dream.

[@chickencheesesteak3847]

Who introduced her? Was that Carl Albert?

[@beasleybrother1]

I think that was Robert Strauss. A democratic king maker in the 1970s

[@hueysheridan9]

Is that Donna Brazile at 1.02?

[@tranurse]

kinda does look like her.

[@punknhead23]

Could be. But she would have only been 17. I think that gal looks a bit older than that.

[@justinsatiable5434]

I always wondered if her extreme enunciation and thespian like accent and tone was put on? I wondered if when she walked around the house on a Saturday morning if she said word like she said, "keeeey-note shhh-peakah"?!?! This of course does not take away from her brilliance and intellect. She was and is a rare gem...

[@BrianBaccus]

I highly doubt that she EVER spoke like what you referred to. This was a woman who throughout her life strived to do better by all, and to be the perfect example of what intelligence should look like period. Thats an insult to her legacy to even insinuate that she would do such a thing, especially during those times, you should be ashamed to even have stated that....unless of course you arent black, then I understand completely.

[@justinsatiable5434]

Mr. Backazz, spoken like a true butthurt racist yourself, "unless of course you arent black, then I understand completely, what, that you are racist? Aaaahahahahaha! You must have ingnored the video Hellen Keller? I guess you totally ignored my closing comment? Get over yourself, people of a different race don't see you as more or less important than anyone else because of race. Don't flatter yourself into thinking people care about you or think you are more important than you are...

[@BrianBaccus]

I'm sooooo sorry that I offended you, the problem with this Americanized way of thinking is that you say something that was totally offensive but then you have the right to say you're sorry you said it but you can never unsay it, so I'll just leave it at that, you have a wonderful day sir

[@Hollywhite1]

OMG OMG... her water gate herring speech ..... wowzer

[@barbaraobach]

Texas be truenext time and vote for the Democrats,the party that cares,however imperfect,mistakes and all

[@andrewDaMack]

How about that woman @6:48 smoking?

[@selenaphillips6971]

I hope Viola Davis plays her in a project.

[@amandawoods8323]

Manners.

[@kennethmorgan7957]

She sounds like a Republican .....................

[@danielgarza2713]

Oh please !

[@FloridaMan82]

What utter nonsense. Typical Democrat, talk a lot and say absolutely nothing.

[@alanpeterson6224]

I met her once. Very affected, (phony) way of speaking. She's from Houston. I tried to talk to her about Viet Nam, (I was there for a year and a half.) All she could talk about was how Johnson was "The best president we've ever had," and just kept repeating that like a broken record. Wasn't impressed.

[@Hollywhite1]

Alan Peterson ... your an idiot. Now she had to speak the way YOU wanted ? Get the F*ck out of here

[@alanpeterson6224]

It had nothing to do with anything I wanted, you moron. I just recognized her as a phony, over rated politician. Texas thought it would make them look good if they had a black person representing their state. There were plenty of more qualified people, but they were white.

[@Hollywhite1]

Alan Peterson ...YOU ARE THE MORON... with an opinion that doesn’t MEAN SHIT!!! You are an OLD RACIST COWARD..

[@frostyflakes9711]

There is more clapping and praising for nothing but empty speech

[@caseyd321]

Can anyone tell me what exactly she was trying to say? God! What a bunch of BS talking points. She says nothing substantial!

[@frostyflakes9711]

True. I think people just love the sound of her deep voice and speaking in general

[@boomerang6130]

You are an idiot and just jealous. Let's see you do better. This woman was pure genius.

[@merchantsmithimages]

@@boomerang6130 Some people can't comprehend clear concepts and well spoken English. It's obvious she is speaking on inclusion and equality for all people. Also that the Government has the responsibility to remove all obstacles blocking people from advancing.

[@ralphcraig5816]

We could really use someone of this stature, intellect & integrity today....

[@wlee1220]

@Shiloh Dawg I hope you've changed your mind about that since then. I'm an African American, not an American African.

[@punknhead23]

I think you are an American. No one calls me Welsh American, or Irish American. Why should you have distinction?

[@fancybrooks3156]

@@punknhead23 It was never an issue for your people. You rights as a citizen were never denied. There are no slurs of your heritage. Coming out of Jim Crow discrimination after the gains of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950's and 1960's African Americans needed an identity. "Colored" just didn't do it for us. It was a mark of Jim Crow with all those signs! Besides, every ethnicity is a color, including Caucasian. "Negro" was out because of the bastardization and mispronunciation of the word that led to the derogatory name-calling that still plagues us today. We tried Afro-American, but that was more a reference to a hair-style - which even Caucasians could wear. African Americans is our identity - in part to recognize our heritage. For the most part our African heritage was lost to us. Our names; our ancestry; our language; our history - all stripped away - for centuries. All the aspects of our cultural heritage were taken from us and we were relegated to the status of chattel! Did that happen to YOUR people as Welsh Americans? No. You know where in Europe your Welsh ancestors are from. You can easily trace your family's roots. You have a culture. African Americans had none of that! We no longer had an African culture and we were denied our American culture. So spare us the outrage at wanting to identify ourselves as SOMEBODY after centuries of being NOBODY!