Piece image

Rediscovering Barbara Jordan

From: KUT
Length: 00:54:01

One-hour documentary about the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan, the first black woman from the South to serve in the U.S. Congress. Read the full description.

1714074_small This program, orginally produced in 2006, is a one-hour documentary about the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan, the first black woman from the South to serve in the U.S. Congress. "Rediscovering Barbara Jordan" features interviews with many of Jordan's colleagues and contemporaries, including Ben Barnes, former Lt. Governor of Texas; Bill Clinton, former President of the United States; John Doar, Special Counsel for the House Judiciary Committee during Watergate; Dan Rather, former anchor of CBS News; Bob Woodward, The Washington Post; and Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas. Born in the Fifth Ward of Houston during the days of segregation, Jordan leapt to national prominence as a freshman member of the House Judiciary Committee during the national crisis known as Watergate. At the height of television?s prime time, she delivered a speech that resonated with the whole nation. Jordan?s historic comments began with reference to slavery, and her role as presidential inquisitor. With her words, ?My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total, and I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution,? it soon became apparent that President Nixon would resign. Within two weeks, he did. It's been more than 10 years since Jordan's death. In this special report, her thoughts, the events that shaped her and the deeds that assured her place in American history, are re-told through her speeches, personal interviews and recorded conversations with her. Many of her friends and contemporaries help tell her story.

To hear the full audio, sign up for a free PRX account or log in.

More from KUT

Caption: Susanna and Guy Clark, Credit: Music Road Records

West Texas 1941: The Story of Guy Clark (00:53:47)
From: KUT

Join a who's who of Texas Music, including Jerry Jeff Walker, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Willie Nelson and many, many more in a 70th birthday celebration of one of the greatest ...
Caption: PRX default Piece image

Portrait of an Artist: Elisabeth Perez-Luna (00:12:21)
From: KUT

Listen to veteran journalist Elisabeth Perez-Luna talk about her life, work and perspective as an artist.
Piece image

The List: A Guide to ACL Fest 2011 (00:56:26)
From: KUT

Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, Kanye West, My Morning Jacket, Arcade Fire...the headliners are impressive. But musical discovery is the heart and soul of the Austin City Limits ...
Caption: The Shade Tree at Zilker Park

Stages: 10 Years of ACL Fest (00:55:44)
From: KUT

September 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the Austin City Limits Music Festival. What started out as a modest two day affair heavy on regional artists has become one of ...
Caption: Stephen Bruton, of the 10 Austin Aces

The Austin Aces (01:00:00)
From: KUT

Janis Joplin. Roky Erikson. Doug Sahm. Stevie Ray Vaughan. Names like these helped establish Austin’s global reputation as hothouse for great musical talent. Who are the most ...
Piece image

Hard Times, Great Music? (00:57:46)
From: KUT

Volatility on Wall Street, talk of a double dip recession---bad news for the markets. But good news for music? During times like these, we witness not only a devolution in ...
Caption: Whut are YOU lookin at?

Sounds Like Summer 2011 (00:55:18)
From: KUT

You know what it 'feels' like. You might even know what it smells like, or tastes like. Let's focus on what it sounds like, shall we? Join the award-winning music ...
Piece image

10 Touchstones of the Texas Blues (00:54:39)
From: KUT

It got its start in the oilfields, ranches, and lumber camps of the early 1900s. And it went on to reshape American music. Join music historian Alan Governar and host David ...
Piece image

100 Songs that Messed with Texas (00:56:24)
From: KUT

On this episode, we explore songs that challenged the stereotypes of Texas music. Though "country" music may be what the Lone Star State is most well known for, over the ...
Piece image

"A Backstage Pass at Austin City Limits" (00:54:27)
From: KUT

On this edition of Texas Music Matters, we take a behind the scenes tour of the award-winning PBS show Austin City Limits. This show features rare performances by Johnny ...

Piece Description

This program, orginally produced in 2006, is a one-hour documentary about the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan, the first black woman from the South to serve in the U.S. Congress. "Rediscovering Barbara Jordan" features interviews with many of Jordan's colleagues and contemporaries, including Ben Barnes, former Lt. Governor of Texas; Bill Clinton, former President of the United States; John Doar, Special Counsel for the House Judiciary Committee during Watergate; Dan Rather, former anchor of CBS News; Bob Woodward, The Washington Post; and Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas. Born in the Fifth Ward of Houston during the days of segregation, Jordan leapt to national prominence as a freshman member of the House Judiciary Committee during the national crisis known as Watergate. At the height of television?s prime time, she delivered a speech that resonated with the whole nation. Jordan?s historic comments began with reference to slavery, and her role as presidential inquisitor. With her words, ?My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total, and I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution,? it soon became apparent that President Nixon would resign. Within two weeks, he did. It's been more than 10 years since Jordan's death. In this special report, her thoughts, the events that shaped her and the deeds that assured her place in American history, are re-told through her speeches, personal interviews and recorded conversations with her. Many of her friends and contemporaries help tell her story.

1 Comment Atom Feed

Caption: PRX default User image

Transcript Request

Hi,
I am doing a research paper on Barbara Jordan, and was wondering if I could get a transcript of your wonderful broadcast.

Broadcast History

This aired on KUT in 2006. It was posted on PRX in 2006.

Timing and Cues

Rediscovering Barbara Jordan
A Radio Documentary from KUT 90.5 Austin
Cue Sheet

Show is 59:00 total

ONE SECOND OF SILENCE PRECEDES SHOW

OPEN: 00:00 - 1:00
INCUE: ?From PRI, Public Radio International.?
OUTCUE: ?...First, This news.?

Part One 06:00-30:00
INCUE: ?Major Funding for Rediscovering Barbara Jordan...?
OUTCUE: ?...PRI, Public Radio International.?

30:00 ? 31:00 MUSIC FOR LOCAL CUTAWAY

Part Two 31:00-59:00
INCUE: ?Major Funding for Rediscovering Barbara Jordan
OUTCUE: PRI Audio Logo

Related Website

http://www.kut.org/barbarajordan