A New Law: The Covenant Speech of Barbara Jordan

Abstract

When Barbara Jordan stepped to the podium at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, she made history as the first African American keynote speaker at a major political party's nominating convention. Rather than giving a traditional keynote address, Jordan played the part of an Old Testament prophet with a new commandment to give to the people. This study analyzes Jordan's address as a modern covenant speech to better understand her speech and this new rhetorical form. As utilized by Jordan, this unique type of prophetic discourse includes the praising of a blessed people, the giving of a new command, and the calling on the people to obey. Implications concerning Jordan's address and the covenant speech rhetorical form are discussed.