We are a people in search of a national community… We are attempting to fulfill our national purpose. We are a people in a quandary about the present we are a people in search of our future. The citizens of America expect more, deserve and they want more than a recital of problems. “I could recite these problems, and then I could sit down, and offer no solutions, but I don’t choose to do that either.

I could list the problems which cause people to feel cynical, angry, frustrated… the feeling that the Grand American Experiment is failing, or has failed. I could list the many problems which Americans have. “I could easily spend this time praising the accomplishments of this party, and attacking the Republicans, but I don’t choose to do that. She emphasized the needs of the American people over the drama of party politics: She came to the convention with a mission: to provide a clear vision for America that the Democratic Party would fight for. She was also the first black woman to deliver the keynote speech a major-party convention in 1976. House of Representatives (in 1972) and the first known lesbian elected to Congress (although that was not known during her tenure there). Jordan was the first Southern black woman elected to the U.S. Listening to Obama, a descendent of slaves giving what will likely be remembered as one of the best convention speeches of all time, I was reminded of the first black woman to speak at the Democratic National Convention 40 years ago: Barbara Jordan. She personified leadership as she gracefully juxtaposed her vision for America against the less-optimistic vision held by the Republicans, and she did it all without ever mentioning Donald Trump’s name. Michelle Obama gave a riveting speech at the Democratic National Convention on Monday.

1976 dnc keynote address