Barbara Jordan
Keynote Address at the 1976 Democratic Convention
New York City, NY
July 12, 1976

1) What is a Democratic Convention?

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2) Why do you think Barbara Jordan was chosen to deliver this speech?

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3) Why does Barbara Jordan believe people often turn to the Democratic Party?
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4) List three beliefs of the Democratic Party, according to Barbara Jordan:
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5) What issues does Barbara Jordan think America will face in upcoming years?
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6) Barbara Jordan quotes Thomas Jefferson in her speech. What do you think is the significance of this quote?
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7) In Barbara Jordan's opinion, what is the most important concept facing the election?
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8) Barbara Jordan ends her speech with a quote from Republican President Abraham Lincoln. How does this quote relate to her speech? How does it relate to her personally?
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9) Barbara Jordan gave this speech 26 years ago. Do you think her suggested changes have been fully implemented? What does America still need to do to become a national community?
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Activities:

1. Write a paragraph critiquing Barbara Jordan's speech. Do you agree with what she said? What would you have said if you were asked to give the Keynote Address?

2. Imagine you are a reporter from a local newspaper at the convention. What follow-up questions would you ask Barbara Jordan?

Further Research:

Research the events and the outcome of the 1976 election. What party won? Who became President? Do you think Barbara Jordan play a role in him winning the party's nomination? What position did the President want Jordan to take? Was there any correlation between his presidency and the concepts outlined in Jordan's speech?

Answers:

1) A democratic meeting every 4 years to draft a party platform and nominate a presidential candidate.

2) Answers will vary.

3) Because the Democrats' concept of governing is "derived from our view of people. It is a concept deeply rooted in a set of beliefs firmly etched in the national conscience, of all of us."

4) Possible Answers: We believe in equality for all and privileges for none. We believe that the people are the source of all governmental power; that the authority of the people is to be extended, not restricted. We believe that the government which represents the authority of all the people, not just one interest group, but all the people, has an obligation to actively underscore, actively seek to remove those obstacles which would block individual achievement...obstacles emanating from race, sex, economic condition.

5) That America will "cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups: city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual. Each seeking to satisfy private wants."

6) Answers will vary.

7) Forming a national community.

8) Answers will vary.

9) Students' opinion.