1976 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address
Barbara Jordan
Barbara Jordan made history as the first African American woman to deliver a keynote address at a major party convention. A congresswoman from Texas, Jordan was already known for her powerful opening statement during the Nixon impeachment hearings two years earlier. Her 1976 DNC keynote came at a pivotal moment — the nation was recovering from Watergate, Vietnam, and a crisis of confidence in government. Jordan chose not to attack Republicans but to articulate a vision of what American democracy could be. The speech is ranked #5 on the American Rhetoric list of top 100 speeches of the 20th century.
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Speech Structure
Opening — The historic moment
Jordan opens by acknowledging the significance of her presence: a Black woman from the South addressing a national convention. She uses this personal history to embody the progress of American democracy itself.
The crisis of confidence
Rather than partisan attacks, Jordan diagnoses the national mood: Americans have lost faith in government. She frames this not as a Democratic or Republican problem but as a democratic one.
Constitutional values
Jordan grounds her argument in the Constitution, quoting the Preamble and arguing that its promises must be extended to all people. Her legal training gives this section scholarly authority.
The role of the Democratic Party
She defines what the party should stand for — not ideology but inclusion, not power but public trust. The tone is aspirational rather than combative.
Call to action
Jordan closes with a challenge to the convention and the country: live up to the Constitution's promise. The speech ends not with applause lines but with moral conviction.
Rhetorical Techniques
Ethos through personal narrative
"'I, Barbara Jordan, am a keynote speaker.' By stating the obvious with gravity, Jordan forces the audience to reckon with the historical weight of a Black woman in this role."
Transforms a biographical fact into a moral argument about American progress.
Constitutional framing
"Jordan repeatedly invokes 'We, the People' and the constitutional framework, grounding partisan politics in foundational American values."
Elevates the speech above party politics and gives it enduring, non-partisan authority.
Anaphora
"Repeated use of 'We believe...' to articulate party values creates a liturgical cadence that builds collective identity."
Transforms a list of policy positions into a shared creed, building emotional unity.
Understatement of personal achievement
"Jordan never dwells on the barriers she overcame. Her restraint on personal hardship makes her authority feel earned, not performed."
Builds credibility through dignity rather than victimhood.
Key Quotes
"I, Barbara Jordan, am a keynote speaker."
"We are a people in a quandary about the present. We are a people in search of our future."
"We, the people — it is a very eloquent beginning. But when that document was completed on the seventeenth of September in 1787, I was not included in that We, the people."
"What the people want is very simple. They want an America as good as its promise."
"If the government is combative, it creates combativeness. If the government is compassionate, it creates compassion."
Delivery Analysis
Pace
Slow and commanding — Jordan spoke at roughly 100 words per minute, giving every phrase weight. Her pace demanded that the audience listen.
Tone
Rich, resonant contralto voice that conveyed both warmth and authority. Often compared to a preacher or judge — moral seriousness with emotional depth.
Pauses
Long, deliberate pauses between key phrases. Jordan was unafraid of silence, using it to let her words settle.
Gestures
Restrained — Jordan spoke from behind the podium with minimal movement, letting her voice do the work.
Why It Works
Historic presence
Jordan's identity was itself an argument. Her standing at the podium embodied the democratic progress she described in her words.
Non-partisan moral authority
By grounding her argument in the Constitution rather than party platform, Jordan spoke to all Americans, not just Democrats.
Voice as instrument
Jordan's deep, measured voice was uniquely suited to the gravity of her message. The delivery matched the content perfectly.
Restraint as power
Jordan could have dwelt on racial injustice or personal struggle. Instead, she let her presence speak and focused on shared values — making her message universal.
Lessons for Your Speech
Your presence can be your most powerful argument
If you represent something historic or meaningful, acknowledge it simply. Let the significance speak without over-explaining.
Ground your message in shared values
Instead of attacking opponents, articulate what you stand for. Positive vision is more persuasive and more memorable than criticism.
Slow down
Jordan spoke at half the pace of most speakers. If your message is important, give every word space. Silence between phrases builds anticipation and gravity.
Legacy & Impact
The speech cemented Jordan's reputation as one of the greatest American orators of the 20th century. It is consistently ranked among the top 10 political speeches in American history. Jordan's keynote set the standard for convention addresses — all subsequent keynotes, including Barack Obama's 2004 speech, are measured against hers. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994. The speech is studied in rhetoric, political science, and African American studies programs across the country.
Quick facts
- Speaker
- Barbara Jordan
- Year
- 1976
- Category
- political
- Words
- 2,100
- Duration
- 15 min
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