Watch this video: https://youtu.be/FrqVBclJVco
If you’ve taken Texas Government with me, you know about Barbara Jordan. Jordan blazed trails as the first African-American since Reconstruction to hold office in the Texas state senate and the first African-American woman ever to hold that position. She then went to Washington D.C. in 1973, after winning a landslide election, to become the first black woman to represent Texas in the U.S. House. While in Congress, she sat on the Judiciary Committee, where she gave the opening speech during the Committee’s hearing to impeach Richard Nixon. Her speech is considered to be one of the greatest political speeches ever made.
Now watch her history-making speech. After you watch, respond to what you heard. You may consider these questions: What checks-and-balances does she mention? What does she think about the role of Congress regarding impeachment? What is her reasoning for Congress bringing forth these articles and what is the “standard” she uses? How does she explain the “nature of impeachment” and its role in balancing the government?
