PBS: The Black Congresswoman They DON'T Teach You About

[marmar]

Mar 26, 2026

The Inquisitor traces Barbara Jordan’s rise from Texas congresswoman to national icon, highlighting her powerful voice, integrity, and influence on U.S. politics. She confronted presidents, championed civil rights, and set a new ethical standard in American politics. From her fervent speech condemning the Watergate scandal, to her passionate battles for equal rights, Jordan compelled the nation to ask hard questions and face the answers. Her conviction helped reshape our democracy.
During the impeachment hearings of President Nixon, Jordan reminded listeners of the constitutional agreement made for the collective experiment of democracy and received praise from both political parties. It was this speech that earned her the title of ‘inquisitor.’

Beyond the public stage, she quietly faced personal struggles few ever knew. Colleagues and friends, as well as the public, learned of her illness only after her death. The film examines how Jordan navigated race, gender, power, and privacy.

[hlthe2b]

1. We certainly need her ghost & spirit today...

[NNadir]

2. Damn, we need a successor to her now more than ever.

[Walleye]

3. I remember her very well. I wish we had someone now as eloquent and courageous.

[BattleRow]

6. I have commented here in the past about

my admiration for Barbara Jordan.
A magnificent mind,world class orator,and a force of nature with whom to be reckoned.

Texas,for all its faults has produced incredible women ..especially in public service.

Ann Richards and Jasmine Crockett immediately come to mind

[Walleye]

10. All right, whenever I think of disparaging Texas, I think of these women and it discourages me

In a better world, Barbara Jordan would’ve been president

[BattleRow]

13. So would Kamala Harris..

By God,I miss Ann Richardson...
I remember when she said of Shrub..
"Poor George,he was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

[Walleye]

17. She was really something else. I wish we had some more around like her today.

Of course she was one of a kind

[2naSalit]

4. K&R

[NNadir]

5. I sure as hell wish I could recommend this video a few hundred times, as it is timely, as things are even worse than...

...in 1974.

[llmart]

7. She was a trailblazer and a force to be reckoned with.

I watched the video last night and it was inspiring.

[mountain grammy]

8. She was in Congress when we moved to Texas

wonderful, amazing, inspirational woman..

[Figarosmom]

9. I don't think they teach about

Shirley Chisholm either.

[BaronChocula]

11. I was just wondering how those two got on in Congress

I met (shook hands with) Shirley Chisolm back in my frosh year at college when she came to speak. Unfortunately I was a little too shy/dim to engage in any conversation.

[Walleye]

18. She was my first vote for president. 1972 California Democratic primary.

[Deuxcents]

12. Many thanks for posting the complete video. PBS has great documentaries and this is one of them

Many years ago, my union sent me and 4-5 others from our legislative committee to an AFL-CIO convention in DC and a guest speaker named Barbara Jordan was to speak that day. From the first few words to the end of her presentation, we were all captivated by her tone, the cadence of her delivery and the fiery message..just as how others in this video described. It was an unforgettable experience. Thank you, again, for posting

[BattleRow]

14. Wouldn't you love to see her take and takedown of the current occupants in the Wh--e House?

[Walleye]

19. She would eat him alive, as they say

[Thunderbeast]

15. Barbara Jordan was a true master of the English language!

She argued that Black Americans would have difficulty reaching social and economic parity unless they lost Ebonics in daily life and embraced "standard English".

[NNadir]

16. I keep watching excerpts and stop to weep at how far we've fallen from what she raised us to with her voice.

[Picturelady]

20. I met her once

I went to DC to lobby for some environmental issue many years ago. I will never forget walking into her office. Immediately I was struck by the sense that I was in the presence of greatness. Before we exchanged any words I knew this woman was .... it's hard to find the word, but angelic comes to mind. A divine force.

[NNadir]

21. Wow. That's impressive. Welcome to DU.