I really was not sure about if you felt racism was still present?   You mentioned that the flag represent the United States. but does it represent a nation equal opportunity or equal application of the law?    The answer for many black citizens, based on their family history and experiences, is No.   

So my question becomes, if racism still exist in the United States, does the flag also reflects a nation that continues to have significant amount of racism.    Maybe that's our disconnect?   You see the flag as an ideal, others see the reality of race bias.*

I agree that action is more important than words.    The protest while improving awareness of stubborn racial discrimination, may have created more resistance than help?    We won't know for awhile.   I have no problem with the protest.

**https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awGctTODPBk         Simple but effective vid on unequal OPPORTUNITY.  

Kaepernick has spent a bunch of his money and sacrificed his career.  It's not enough.