Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Todo Concostrina
Host: Nieves Concostrina (Host 2) with guest Host 1
Episode: Acontece que no es poco | Eleanor Roosevelt y el derecho humano a ser reconocida
Date: December 11, 2023
Main Theme:
A nuanced and engaging look into Eleanor Roosevelt’s pivotal role in the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, highlighting both her public activism and personal life, and reflecting on the continuing relevance and shortcomings of the declaration 75 years on.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), focusing on Eleanor Roosevelt's essential, yet often underappreciated, leadership in its drafting and adoption. The hosts delve into her activism, her personal struggles, the complexities of her marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt, and her courageous stand for human rights and social justice, all while questioning the 'true' impact and implementation of the UDHR in today’s world.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Historical Context of Human Rights (01:10–03:35)

• The hosts open with a somber reflection: despite the UDHR turning 75, wars, inequality, and abuses persist.
  • Host 1: “...casi que uno estaría tentado a dejarlo correr, ¿Verdad? Pues yo creo que no.”
• The declaration is remembered as a necessary reference point, however imperfect.
• Immediate focus on Eleanor Roosevelt as the driving force behind the UDHR: “Hoy…hay que recordar sobre todo que es lo que hacemos hoy, a quien la impulsó y su nombre propio.”

2. The Power and Limits of the Declaration (03:45–04:54)

• Nieves Concostrina (Host 2) expresses skepticism about the UDHR's effectiveness:
  • “Que es muy bien intencionada la declaración, pero es inservible. Desde mi punto de vista.”
• Discusses its widespread translation (over 500 languages) and global reach, but questions its practical utility for everyday people.

3. Profile of Eleanor Roosevelt – Activist, Not Ornamental (05:56–07:59; 09:48–11:39)

• Eleanor is presented as the true powerhouse behind Franklin D. Roosevelt’s political career.
  • Host 2: “Si él llegó a gobernador de Nueva York fue porque ella lo llevó hasta el cargo… Y si él se mantuvo como el trigésimo segundo presidente durante 12 años. Fue porque ella siguió haciendo campaña por todo el país.”
• Her activism was practical, relentless, and inclusive—she directly engaged with citizens, even in remote areas.
• Host 2 challenges the public’s limited perception of Eleanor: “Una mujer relativamente famosa por el nombre, pero yo no sé si suficientemente conocida.”
• The personal becomes political: infidelity and illness played crucial roles in shaping both Eleanor and Franklin’s trajectories.

4. Eleanor & Franklin: Partnership and Personal Liberation (07:59–09:48)

• Both engaged in extramarital affairs, with Franklin’s infidelities precipitating a power shift in their relationship.
  • Host 2: “El primero que disparó fue él... Eleanor lo pilló y quiso divorciarse. Pero claro, el Sr. Franklin de la Norosevelt tenía aspiraciones políticas...”
• Eleanor’s emancipation from traditional First Lady roles allowed her to direct all her energy toward activism.

5. Eleanor’s Influence in Politics and Society (09:52–11:39)

• Eleanor was pivotal in Franklin’s political survival after his polio diagnosis, fighting against those (including Franklin’s mother) who saw his illness as disqualifying.
• She campaigned across the US, checking if New Deal policies actually helped; she advocated for women reporters, social causes, and racial equality with determination.

6. Resistance and Impact – The Marian Anderson Event (11:39–14:26)

• A notable moment: Eleanor resigned from the Daughters of the American Revolution when they barred black contralto Marian Anderson from performing.
  • Host 2: “Lo primero que hizo fue abandonar la asociación. Lo primero, largarse acusándolas de no tomar la senda de la tolerancia, como les dijo.”
  • Eleanor then ensured Anderson sang at both the White House and a historic public concert at the Lincoln Memorial.
• Her actions exemplified moral courage and set precedents in civil rights activism.

7. Courage to Challenge and Speak Out (13:34–14:26)

• Eleanor openly challenged world leaders. Example: At a London dinner in 1942, she asked Churchill why neither the UK nor the US had acted to defend Spain’s democracy post-civil war—a question Churchill dodged.
• Eleanor repeatedly chose activism and truth over decorum, regardless of criticism or calls to be ‘just a First Lady.’

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• On the declaration’s value —

  • Host 2: “Que está traducida a la declaración a más de 500 lenguas. Y que la mayoría de los 8 mil millones de personas humanas que poblamos el planeta no lo entendemos. Y además no sabemos para qué sirve.” (03:15)

• Describing Eleanor’s activism —

  • Host 2: “La protagonista del acontecido de hoy es, ya lo hemos dicho, Eleanor Roosevelt. Con la excusa de que esta mujer, que tenía un culo de lo más inquieto. Trabajó incansablemente para que...la ONU adoptara la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos.” (02:30)

• On personal liberation —

  • Host 2: “Aquello, en el fondo, fue una liberación para ella, porque también tuvo más adelante sus escarceos... se quitó de encima el ser una perfecta acompañante como primera dama, sino que se vino arriba y se dedicó a lo que le gustaba. Le gustaba mucho currar, le gustaba mucho el activismo.” (08:40)

• On taking a stand for racial justice —

  • Host 2: “Lo primero que hizo fue abandonar la asociación [Hijas de la Revolución Americana]... Lo segundo que hizo fue invitar a la cantante a actuar en la Casa Blanca. Y lo tercero fue organizar un gran concierto en el Lincoln Memorial.” (12:14)

Content Structure with Timestamps

• Host banter and framing of the episode: 00:39–01:52
• 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration; role of Eleanor Roosevelt: 01:52–04:54
• Reflection on the Declaration's reach and limits: 04:54–05:56
• Eleanor’s activist style; partnership with Franklin: 05:56–07:59
• Discussion of marriage, infidelity, and personal transformation: 07:59–09:48
• Eleanor’s direct political influence, especially post-polio: 09:48–11:39
• Case study — Marian Anderson concert and racism: 11:39–14:26

Conclusion

This episode provides a spirited, sometimes irreverent, yet deeply empathetic look at Eleanor Roosevelt's enduring legacy as both an architect of human rights and a model of personal fortitude. Nieves Concostrina’s signature humor, candor, and incisiveness reveal the full humanity of a woman too easily overshadowed by her presidential husband—and make a forceful case for the continuing, though flawed, relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For further episodes or follow-up:
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