Motley Moose – Archive

Barbara Jordan was a Democratic member of the U.S. House Representatives from the state of Texas and the first African-American elected to her state’s senate.

Rep. Barbara Jordan was not only a trailblazer but a great American and a great advocate for both small d and big D Democratic principles.

Speeches can contain words to live by, words that call us to action for an important cause and words that connect to our deepest feelings about fairness and compassion.

The words of women are harder to find because women did not have much of a voice in politics and were not allowed to vote until 1920.

When I wanted to include women’s voices in this series, I immediately thought of Barbara Jordan and it turns out that two of her speeches have been ranked on the list of Top 100 American Speeches of the 20th century.

The one she is most famous for is the Keynote Address at the 1976 Democratic National Convention.

More …

Hubert Horatio Humphrey at the 1948 Democratic Convention

Last week was the 103rd birthday of great American, Hubert H. Humphrey (1911-1978).

Not only a great American but a great liberal, a great Democrat and a courageous leader.

Past meets present: where the dream has not yet been realized but is closer than it was 50 years ago.

Rarely seen footage from the March on Washington from “Nobody Turn Me Around: A People’s History of the 1963 March on Washington” by Charles Euchner (h/t DeniseVelez)

From senior White House advisor, Valerie Jarrett:

This Wednesday will mark 50 years since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech at the base of the Lincoln Memorial; a moment which served to punctuate a movement that changed America.

To honor this occasion, President Obama will be joined Wednesday, August 28th, by President Jimmy Carter and President Bill Clinton, members of the King family and other civil rights leaders and luminaries at the Let Freedom Ring Commemoration and Call to Action event at the Lincoln Memorial, to commemorate Dr. King’s soaring speech and the 1963 March on Washington.  

As we mark this important anniversary, we reflect on what the Civil Rights Movement has meant for the country, and perhaps most importantly, the hard work that lies ahead as we continue to pursue the ideals laid out by Dr. King, and sought by the hundreds of thousands of Americans who marched through our nation’s capital fifty years ago.

For more information on the 50th Anniversary Let Freedom Ring Ceremony and Call to Action Event at the Lincoln Memorial please visit http://officialmlkdream50.com/august-28/.

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UPDATED: From the White House, President Obama’s speech at the Let Freedom Ring rally. (Transcript).