We'll look this week at the current national controversy over NFL football player Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protest during the national anthem during football games, and the subsequent occurrence of other NFL players - as well as college and high school sports player and others - joining him in protest by kneeling at their games. This is an action that has gathered intense international attention and scrutiny, and many divided opinions. Kaepernick himself has explained that his actions are a form of protest, which is a form of argument/persuasion; in his case, to make a stand against what he and many others see as continued oppression of African Americans in the U.S., starting in the early days of our country and the institution of slavery, continuing to this day in other forms. In each of the following videos, please pay special attention to the speaker; the position they are taking on this topic; and the rhetorical tools and strategies of persuasion/argument that they use to build their case to defend and argue their position. This would include word choice, presence, how they establish their authority on their position, appeals to the listener's emotions, sense of ethics, and a sense of logic/fairness, phrases and references to authority figures, the U.S. constitution, and other outside sources that help add weight and defend their argument, and also any logical fallacies (such as bandwagon, red herring, either/or, etc.) Importantly: does the speaker of each video gain your trust? Do they establish themselves as being in a position to make their argument (through actions and words); are they are in a position of authority? How do they make you agree or disagree with them? Again, focus on what they say, how they say it, do they stay on track, or go off onto other subjects in their efforts to argue in support of, or against, the Kaepernick's kneeling protest during NFL football games.....and so forth. Another thing to consider: do any of the narrators in these videos seem to have an outside agenda - another reason they are taking a stand on this topic? Do they seem sincere? Don't just say things like "I agree with this person," or "I disagree". I want you to dig deeper to look critically and closely at the above factors in how well (or not) each person in the following videos explains the issue at hand, and puts forth their argument/position on the issue. After you post your analysis of each of these videos, you can say some words about your feelings on the issue - and why or why not you support Kaepernick's actions. (or, if you are undecided about how you feel.) Here are the videos: Video #1 Against https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DasxxLSHZI (Links to an external site.) undefined Video #2 : Kaepernick speaks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka0446tibig (Links to an external site.) undefined Video #3 : In Defense https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wbH1iAt3Oo undefined