An Unlikely Hero
“A nation is formed by the willingness of each of us to share in the responsibility for upholding the common good.”
“One thing is clear to me: We, as human beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves.”
“What the people want is very simple – they want an America as good as its promise.”
“The imperative is to define what is right and do it.”
“Let each person do his or her part. If one citizen is unwilling to participate, all of us are going to suffer. For the American idea, though it is shared by all of us, is realized in each one of us.”
“Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o’clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap.”
While doing some research for a story, I came across the above quotes. They touched my heart, and had me asking why aren’t our leaders saying these kinds of things today.
If you hadn’t already guessed, these words came from a tall, outspoken, husky-voiced Black women from Texas, Barbara Jordan, whom I was privileged to write about in my early journalism years. She was from Houston, and I worked for a newspaper just 50 miles away.
Barbara (1936-1996) was the first Black woman to be elected to the Texas State Senate, and in 1972, she became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
She served three terms before retiring to become a professor at the University of Texas. While Jordan’s quotes from above touched me, this one chilled me to the bone: “But this is the great danger America faces. That we will cease to be one nation and become instead a collection of interest groups: city against suburb, region against region, individual against individual. Each seeking to satisfy private wants.”
I think she perfectly described America as it is today, and it deeply saddens me. What do you think?
Pat Bean is a retired award-winning journalist who lives in Tucson with her canine companion, Scamp. She is a wondering-wanderer, avid reader, enthusiastic birder, Lonely Planet Community Pathfinder, Story Circle Network board member, author of Travels with Maggie available on Amazon (Free on Kindle Unlimited), and is always searching for life’s silver lining.
Pat Bean's blog 
I fear she was right, Pat. 😦
Sad, but true Pit. Thanks for commenting.
Some beautiful quotes, Pat, and words worth repeating. Also, kudos for another beautiful watercolor. Love those colors. Hubby and I used to paint before our kids came along. Oils. I gradually experimented with acrylics. Hubby would paint details for hours–with his oils–working on a line or highlight. Drove me nuts. I finally exclaimed, why won’t you just paint! (We were also experimenting with knives.) He got out a 11 x 14 canvas and had at it. Finished in about an hour and a half. Hands down his best. Love it. Still hangs on our wall 50 years later.
Thanks Rosepoint. I’ve also liked some of the painting I did in a few minutes more than some I labored over for hours, or days. I started the above watercolor as a group of flowers, but got stuck and it sat on a table for days. A friend came over, picked up a brush and I said have a go at it. Then, I simple starting dabbling paint on it and loved the abstract we created together.
I remember Barbara Jordan and her dignity and gravity, her love of America and its people. I am afraid she was correct in her fears. She describes what we are now. And it is sad.
About the painting – I love it. My knitting friend works with other knitters in throwing together colors and patterns in creating amazing pieces. A collaborative effort.
Awesome quotes as she is a hero of mine!
That is a very bright and happy painting – and to pair yellow with purple is not always an easy task – one can end up with ‘mud.’
You two did a great job – stopping before it was overworked, and it is fresh and happy!
Thanks, Playamart