What the Hell Is the Presidency For? LBJ's Battle for Civil Rights

What the Hell Is the Presidency For? LBJ's Battle for Civil Rights is a tour de force in historical documentary storytelling that paints a vivid and nuanced portrait of one of the most complex and consequential figures in American history. Premiering in 2016 on History, the series sheds light on Lyndon B. Johnson's tumultuous presidency and his monumental efforts to dismantle the legal foundations of racial discrimination.

The show begins with LBJ’s ascension to the office of the presidency following the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. Left to steer a deeply divided and grieving nation, LBJ, a southerner with considerable political acumen and a deep understanding of Congress, was faced with the challenge of carrying forth the legacy of his fallen predecessor while navigating his own vision for America’s future.

The show’s title, What the Hell Is the Presidency For?, is a question that Johnson asked himself. It encapsulates his conviction that the power of the presidency should be used to effect profound and lasting changes to uplift the lives of Americans. This belief sat at the heart of his commitment to civil rights legislation, something that had been largely stalemated despite the growing civil rights movement sweeping the nation.

What the Hell Is the Presidency For? LBJ's Battle for Civil Rights provides an in-depth exploration of LBJ’s crucial role in the passage of two groundbreaking civil rights laws: the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which removed legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote.

Through clever use of archival footage and expert testimonies, the series delves into the political maneuvering, negotiations, and strategic alliances LBJ put together to push this watershed legislation through a resistant Congress. The documentary also charts the political price he paid for choosing to champion civil rights, including strained relationships with Southern politicians and the Democratic party.

Beyond unfolding the complexities of LBJ's political battles and legislative accomplishments, the series also offers an intimate look into Johnson’s personal life and his turbulent emotional landscape. Interviews with key figures such as his staff, family members, and surviving contemporaries from the civil rights era provide valuable insights into Johnson’s private sorrows, personal motivations and his struggle to reconcile his Texan roots with his progressive political ambitions.

What the Hell Is the Presidency For? LBJ's Battle for Civil Rights puts a human face on a seemingly larger-than-life historical figure, reminding us of the man behind the political titan. Amidst the political tension, viewers get to see a Vanderbilt trained schoolteacher who remained a passionate educator at heart; an idealist committed to the betterment of America; an enigmatic statesman who was both feared and respected.

One of the series' strengths lies in its balanced and contextualized portrayal of LBJ. While the documentary celebrates his significant contributions to civil rights in America, it does not shy away from his mistakes and controversies. The series grapples with the paradoxes of LBJ’s character and presidency, such as his role in the escalation of the Vietnam War, his brusque and sometimes abrasive personal style, and his struggles to combat poverty and violence at home.

What the Hell Is the Presidency For? LBJ's Battle for Civil Rights is a must-watch for students of history, politics, or anyone who wants to fully understand the sociopolitical fabric of present-day America. The series brings to life a crucial turning point in American history, while also showing the intricacies of the political system and the tremendous personal and political sacrifices necessary to bring about real change.

Through this riveting series, we come to understand the complexity and contradictions of LBJ—the politician, the idealist, the flawed man. But more than anything, we get an intimate understanding of the power and potential of the presidency to shape and steer the destiny of America. In examining LBJ's presidency, we are left with momentous questions about leadership, courage, vision, and the enduring struggle for justice—questions as relevant today as they were half a century ago.