I don't think using terms like "white America" or "black America" is particularly helpful though. It assumes that all voices are the same based on skin color. And of course skin color plays a part in our experiences, but countless other things do too.

Maybe you misunderstood what I meant when I said I can understand a black American feeling different about the flag than a white person. I've had this conversation with a white guy who I consider a racist and one of his go-to lines is that "Michelle Obama doesn't love America like I do". My answer is always that her experiences are different than his. You have to be able to at least imagine what it's like to walk in the other guy's shoes.

That's my problem with the latest Coates article. I don't begrudge him his feelings. He just doesn't supply any answers. And beyond that, he's personally doing very well. Much better than most white people I know. I don't think it's right to say that Coates or Marc Lamont Hill are "blacker" than Thomas Sowell or Larry Elder. They all have different viewpoints and happen to be black.

This is going to reach a head pretty soon.

I use the term white America because that is where the overwhelming majority of of the complaints about this protest and MANY others come from. There is no need to pretend this hasn't historically been true whenever there is talk about oppression and equality.

No I don't understand what you mean when you say blacks may feel differently about the flag and America than a white person. I also completely disagree with your friend and MANY others that feel white America loves this country more than blacks ever can or will. I would argue that blacks love this country and what the flag represents more than white America. Despite being abused and oppressed we have fought and died for America. Fought and died for freedoms and opportunities that didn't apply to us. Every step of the way we have pushed her to become an even greater nation than she was. We stand with our hands over our hearts with pride because we love this country even though she doesn't always love us back.

Whenever blacks push America to make progress the majority of white America stands up and resist. Why? The majority of white America cares more about comfort than they care about equality and freedom. That's why a guy who has done as well as you have asks if blacks kneeling and protesting for equality want to kill you or completely destroy our country. This movement for progress makes you and the majority of white America uncomfortable.

Why dismiss what he says because of his bank account? His success is what has given him the platform to say these things. Coates writing started a dialogue. Same is true for Kaepernick's kneeling. It's a healthy and uncomfortable dialogue that hopefully will push America to even greater heights.

The victims are the American People and the Republic itself.

Pointing out racists is both easy and comfortable for many.

Having a conversation moves past pointing fingers to "how can this be changed!" That is the tough part.

Hitler was elected and then immediately took absolute power away from parliament. What would the proper term for that be called?

Pointing out racists is both easy and comfortable for many.

Having a conversation moves past pointing fingers to "how can this be changed!" That is the tough part.

It's all part of progress. Everyone is going to hear something that makes them uncomfortable.

The victims are the American People and the Republic itself.

I use the term white America because that is where the overwhelming majority of of the complaints about this protest and MANY others come from. There is no need to pretend this hasn't historically been true whenever there is talk about oppression and equality.

No I don't understand what you mean when you say blacks may feel differently about the flag and America than a white person. I also completely disagree with your friend and MANY others that feel white America loves this country more than blacks ever can or will. I would argue that blacks love this country and what the flag represents more than white America. Despite being abused and oppressed we have fought and died for America. Fought and died for freedoms and opportunities that didn't apply to us. Every step of the way we have pushed her to become an even greater nation than she was. We stand with our hands over our hearts with pride because we love this country even though she doesn't always love us back.

Whenever blacks push America to make progress the majority of white America stands up and resist. Why? The majority of white America cares more about comfort than they care about equality and freedom. That's why a guy who has done as well as you have asks if blacks kneeling and protesting for equality want to kill you or completely destroy our country. This movement for progress makes you and the majority of white America uncomfortable.

Why dismiss what he says because of his bank account? His success is what has given him the platform to say these things. Coates writing started a dialogue. Same is true for Kaepernick's kneeling. It's a healthy and uncomfortable dialogue that hopefully will push America to even greater heights.

Because it's disingenuous to constantly rail against Western culture while living in luxury derived from that culture.

I just re-read this sentence that I wrote and started laughing thinking about Seacrest busting my balls for driving a Benz. But I will say that trying to figure out a better way isn't the same as shitting on the way we've got. I can see a world without property rights, but I don't know how to implement it. That's why I'm not a politician. Or a revolutionary.

The victims are the American People and the Republic itself.

You are an activist that complains about the suffering of the poor while driving around in a Mercedez Benz.

That makes you more like a politician though.

I have had a decent number of these uncomfortable conversations with friends, family, and co workers over the years. I've recounted them and their results in the past. Most of the time, I didn't make much progress, sometimes I did, so its worth it to try in some cases.

But you have to be willing to possibly damage or alter the relationship. That is tough. I think that's why so many people (me in the past) excuse their family or older people.

I have had a decent number of these uncomfortable conversations with friends, family, and co workers over the years.

There is not a damned thing wrong with people who are bull shitters.

But you're afraid to have the conversation with people at a party?!

Hitler wasn't a revolutionary. German people voted him and his party into office.

Ah, Lemonparty, the 8th sacrament.

I have had a decent number of these uncomfortable conversations with friends, family, and co workers over the years. I've recounted them and their results in the past. Most of the time, I didn't make much progress, sometimes I did, so its worth it to try in some cases.

But you have to be willing to possibly damage or alter the relationship. That is tough. I think that's why so many people (me in the past) excuse their family or older people.

No I don't understand what you mean when you say blacks may feel differently about the flag and America than a white person. I also completely disagree with your friend and MANY others that feel white America loves this country more than blacks ever can or will. I would argue that blacks love this country and what the flag represents more than white America. Despite being abused and oppressed we have fought and died for America. Fought and died for freedoms and opportunities that didn't apply to us. Every step of the way we have pushed her to become an even greater nation than she was. We stand with our hands over our hearts with pride because we love this country even though she doesn't always love us back.

Whenever blacks push America to make progress the majority of white America stands up and resist. Why? The majority of white America cares more about comfort than they care about equality and freedom. That's why a guy who has done as well as you have asks if blacks kneeling and protesting for equality want to kill you or completely destroy our country. This movement for progress makes you and the majority of white America uncomfortable.

Racism is an irrational stance to take. It makes it nearly impossible to argue against.

"Hello racist, have you considered that minorities are people just like us and pretty much any negative feeling you have about them is just because of either selection bias, or a lack of experience with that group?"
"Wow. I never thought of that. My mind is changed!".

Also, I want to say that this is some very eloquent writing, although I will point out that I'm certainly not uncomfortable with any movement for progress and I've told you more than once that I am personally undisturbed by the players doing whatever they want to do during the anthem.

And I agree that most black Americans feel exactly as you describe above, which is kind of the point. America as a whole- and that includes blacks, Latinos, Muslims, etc.- is far more conservative than one would gather from watching American television. I believe the average black American has views more in line with those of long time guy than with those of Ta-Nehisi Coates. And most of those Americans- black and white- do see a disrespect for the flag, whether they agree with the goals of the players or not.

Especially when you have Trump making it about the flag. And he knows exactly what he's doing in doing so. Trump may be a dope but he isn't dumb when it comes to campaigning. What he did in the 2016 election will be studied for years to come. And he's still campaigning and hitting this NFL stuff as hard as he is is part of that.

There is not a damned thing wrong with people who are bull shitters.

I agree. White Americans like below are the problem here

Have a terrible night and die in MANY fires.

I'm not exactly sure of the elements of collusion, but absent a smoking gun chain of communication in which owners mutually agreed to sign Kaep, his case will be entirely of the circumstantial "I'm better than this guy, but they hired him over me" variety.

And is not wanting to sign a guy because of the media circus he would bring to your team unlawful?

Are you stoned or pissed off, or both, when you create these postings?

I'm not exactly sure of the elements of collusion, but absent a smoking gun chain of communication in which owners mutually agreed to sign Kaep, his case will be entirely of the circumstantial "I'm better than this guy, but they hired him over me" variety.

And is not wanting to sign a guy because of the media circus he would bring to your team unlawful?