Watch the videos below and answer the questions that follow.

Declare Yourself is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign to empower and encourage every eligible 18-year-old in America to register and vote in presidential primaries and presidential elections. Using the power of strategic media partnerships, celebrity spokespeople, the sports arena, and most importantly, mobile and Internet technology, Declare Yourself's campaign blankets the landscape of popular culture, as well as universities and high schools, with a simple, clear message: REGISTER and VOTE!

Dancing Is A Right Declare Yourself

What important civil rights amendment is discussed in the video? How does this video demonstrate the importance of this amendment for young people today?

In June 1963, President John F. Kennedy addressed the American people with a speech on civil rights from the Oval Office. This speech was in response to the National Guard being sent to protect African-American students at the University of Alabama. The President declared that a moral crisis existed in America, and requested congressional action to expedite desegregation through legislation.

John F. Kennedy - Address on Civil Rights June 11th, 1963

What ideas or statements from the above address did you find most interesting or compelling? In what ways do you think this speech changed the history of civil rights in America?

When Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States, the nation witnessed a new direction in the history of civil rights in America, as Obama serves as the first African-American president of the country. The below video from CBS News examines the Obama candidacy prior to his election in light of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Historical Night For U.S. August 29, 2008 CBS News

Do you feel that the Obama presidency will create more opportunities for further civil rights reform in America? Why or why not?

Now watch the below parody from the Onion News Network and answer the questions that follow.

Portrayal Of Obama As Elitist Hailed As Step Forward For African Americans The Onion News Network

How is Obama’s background and education, in relation to the history of the civil rights movement in the United States, presented in a satirical fashion? What underlying issues of his candidacy, and the media coverage of him during the 2008 election, were highlighted and used in a humorous portrayal?

The Colbert Report, hosted by Stephen Colbert, is a parody of personality-driven political opinion shows such as those found on the cable news networks, wherein Colbert hosts the show in character as a right-wing pundit.

In the video below, Stephen Colbert introduces a new segment, "Better Know a Lobbyist," and interviews Joe Solmonese from the Human Rights Campaign about gay rights.

Watch the video below and answer the questions that follow.

Better Know a Lobby, Part 1 The Colbert Report Comedy Central First aired Wednesday, February 6, 2008

What civil rights issues does Solmonese raise in the interview with Colbert? Although the video segment above is a satire of cable news interviews, did you find the arguments made to Stephen Colbert by Joe Solmonese compelling or convincing? Why or why not?