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
Native Americans when she says, “We experience it as no less than a mockery of our cultures” (Munson 1). Munson again assumes the opinions of Native Americans when saying “we don’t want them demeaned by being “honored” in a sports activity on a playing field” (Munson 2). Munson says, “Native people are saying” (Munson 1) but, she does not give us specific Native people. “Native American educators, parents and students are realizing that, while they may treat a depiction of an Indian person with great respect, such respect is not necessarily going to be accorded to their logo in the mainstream society” (Munson 2) is an attempt to show additional support. She would like us to think of her as a being trustworthy and having experience both as an activist and as a member of the Native American culture and receiving the support of both the Native American community and others. These qualities do not make her an expert and her supporting sources are not specified and are only generalized statements.
Munson continues by blending pathos and logos, combining emotions with logic, to support her case. She pushes the reader to feel guilt with her logic that “When someone says you are hurting them by your action, then the harm becomes intentional if you persist” (Munson 2). Munson expresses indignation stating, “Systematic genocide over four centuries has decimated more than 95 percent of the indigenous population of the Americas” (Munson 2). Insensitivity is implied in the statement that “Stereotypes, ignorance, silent inaction and even naïve innocence damage and destroy individual lives and whole cultures” (Munson 2). The audience is expected to detach themselves from any attempt to preserve “Indian” culture as Munson states, “The responsibility of the continuance of our cultures falls to Native people” (Munson 3). With all of these emotional and logical arguments there are no sources for any facts. The only support for any of the arguments and facts given is the knowledge held by Barbara Munson, this is not strong evidence.
Munson’s target audience includes community members, leaders and parents.
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
mascot.
Not for Sport does not have a strong supporting argument that teams should not use “Indian” mascots. Munson’s opinions are the only ones stated and her experiences do not make her an expert. None of her facts are supported with cited sources. With all of the information in the blog lacking supporting evidence this is not a strong argument.

Works Cited
Munson, Barbara. Not for Sport. Number 15 ed. N.p.: Teaching Tolerance, 1999. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.