Barbara Munson Not For Sports Rhetorical Analysis
Deborah Bailey
Ken Brosky
English 1
20 April 2014
Critical Analysis of Not for Sport by Barbara Munson
In the blog Not for Sport by Barbara Munson, the argument is presented that teams should not use “Indian” mascots. Using a statement and response dialogue Munson argues against what she feels are “common misunderstandings on this issue” (Munson 1). Munson uses ethos, pathos and logos with weak results. Munson’s target audience are the general population and more specifically communities with current “Indian” mascots and leaders in those communities.
Munson starts Not for Sport with a weak attempt at ethos. She is a mother supporting her daughter’s cause. The letter her daughter wrote to her principal on the issue lead their “family to activism on the state and national level” (Munson 1). Munson is referred to as a “Native American activist” (Munson 1). Munson speaks for all …show more content…
She attempts to appeal to individuals already interested in change and conscientious citizens. Munson introduces herself by saying she can help to answer the misunderstandings on the issues and that she will “suggest constructive ways to address them” (Munson 1). “We have always been proud of our ‘Indians’” (qtd in Munson 1) and “We are honoring Indians; you should feel honored” (qtd in Munson 1) are two of the misunderstanding Munson helps to address in response to communities with “Indian” team mascots. Munson finishes by appealing to those aligned with her cause, “When you advocate for the removal of these logos, you are strengthening the spirit of tolerance and justice in your community; you are modeling for all our children thoughtfulness, courage and respect for self and others” (Munson 3). The portion, “you are modeling for all our children” (Munson 3), speaks directly to parents and leaders. Munson is clearly speaking to parents and leaders in communities with sports teams that have “Indians” as their
Ken Brosky
English 1
20 April 2014
Critical Analysis of Not for Sport by Barbara Munson
In the blog Not for Sport by Barbara Munson, the argument is presented that teams should not use “Indian” mascots. Using a statement and response dialogue Munson argues against what she feels are “common misunderstandings on this issue” (Munson 1). Munson uses ethos, pathos and logos with weak results. Munson’s target audience are the general population and more specifically communities with current “Indian” mascots and leaders in those communities.
Munson starts Not for Sport with a weak attempt at ethos. She is a mother supporting her daughter’s cause. The letter her daughter wrote to her principal on the issue lead their “family to activism on the state and national level” (Munson 1). Munson is referred to as a “Native American activist” (Munson 1). Munson speaks for all …show more content…
She attempts to appeal to individuals already interested in change and conscientious citizens. Munson introduces herself by saying she can help to answer the misunderstandings on the issues and that she will “suggest constructive ways to address them” (Munson 1). “We have always been proud of our ‘Indians’” (qtd in Munson 1) and “We are honoring Indians; you should feel honored” (qtd in Munson 1) are two of the misunderstanding Munson helps to address in response to communities with “Indian” team mascots. Munson finishes by appealing to those aligned with her cause, “When you advocate for the removal of these logos, you are strengthening the spirit of tolerance and justice in your community; you are modeling for all our children thoughtfulness, courage and respect for self and others” (Munson 3). The portion, “you are modeling for all our children” (Munson 3), speaks directly to parents and leaders. Munson is clearly speaking to parents and leaders in communities with sports teams that have “Indians” as their