In this press interview, Colin Kaepernick gave a passionate explanation as to why he refuses to stand during the National Anthem. Throughout the interview, Kaepernick expressed his frustration by emphasizing the fact that, along with police brutality, there are many other injustices he has witnessed that occur among people of color. In the beginning (1:20-1:39), Kaepernick says this specific statement, "...cops are getting paid leave for killing people[of color]...". I feel as if this statement evokes a feeling of sympathy for those who have died due to instances such as police brutality. It could even make one question, "What if that person was a family member or friend of mine?". Another way Kaepernick makes an appeal to emotion is when he states"...this stand isn't for me... it's for people who don't have a voice..." (2:50-3:21). This statement evokes the feeling of hope and trust in Kaepernick and his promises to induce change. I feel that Kaepernick made the statements he did throughout the video as an admonition for people to come in contact with the issues of police brutality and other injustices.
By Pelumi Olufuwa
By Pelumi Olufuwa
Your brief summary of the text is very helpful in setting the context for further evaluation. I like your commentary and speculation on the reasons why Kaepernick decided to use that exact diction, it reflects the broader reception of his words. By asking a question and relating yourself to the text, you show that the appeal to emotion is not limited to a specific audience, but that it applies to any reader.
ReplyDeleteI like how in your summary of Kaepernick's interview you bring your own insight which offers another view. While you offer both a very specific insight onto one of his quotes you also give it a broader sense. Like you said not only does he appeal to a broader sense but he also appeals to one personally making one give it more thought than they usually would.
ReplyDeleteI think that your analysis of Kaepernick's interview is completely accurate however I think that it is important to address the other side of the argument. By saying that "cops are getting paid leave for killing people of color" it makes it sound as if that is their only goal, when really their main goal is to protect the people. Although there have been a multitude of instances where colored people have been killed, Kaepernick makes no claim about the 99.99% of cops who do their jobs correctly without taking race into account. When you asked "What if that was a family member of friend of mine?" the same can apply to a police officer who lost his life trying to keep his city safe. I think that racial injustices are indeed an issue that needs to be dealt with, but cops should not be generalized as people who just kill people of color.
ReplyDeleteKaepernick's interview does indeed provide lots of emotion reflection as he claims to speak for the many who do not have the chance to speak out, as well as the mentioning of the instances of police brutality and his own experience. Those examples do a good job of inducing sympathy and anger. But I partly agree with Sean that the quote in the post makes it seem a little generalized. I think giving more background information on what Kaepernick's arguing for would make it more clear.
ReplyDeleteI think your first quote was a very strong emotional appeal, you should add a link to an instance of a cop getting paid leave to reinforce Kaepernick's point. Although the second quote was a strong appeal, I think that it was more of an ethical appeal to establish Kaepernick's credibility rather than an emotional one. Kaepernick isn't so much trying to inspire hope as he is to show what he himself is advocating and is trying to gain support. Dakota
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