I was just thinking again about the NFL and the renewed discussion player "protests" that disrespect our flag and national anthem, and I was thinking that I don't know why an individual or group would find it a good thing to willfully insult a whole nation for the actions of some.

If I may try to use crime as an analogy, it is as though they are saying:

"Despite the fact that this nation was founded with a desire to be a nation of laws, and despite the fact that this nation has taken many steps to try to ensure that crimes are not committed -- with many of them even risking or giving their lives in order to help stop criminal activity -- the fact is that there are still crimes being committed every day somewhere by some people. There are even crimes being committed by members of the government. Therefore, I will refuse to honor the flag or the national anthem of this country until such time as it becomes a country without criminals. I don't care that most of them are not criminals or whether or not I have any real evidence of criminality on behalf of the majority. I will treat them all like criminals and insult them all until they agree with me that they are criminals and bring an end to all criminal activity ... or at least stop an amount of criminality that meets with my own arbitrary standard that I have not bothered to clearly define for them. If they take offense at this action, then it only proves that they are really still criminals at heart and that I am right to insult them and the country in which they live. And, by the way, I am perfectly entitled not to show any gratitude whatsoever for the fact that I am allowed by this country to publicly speak out about such issues without fear of being treated like a criminal myself."

We are all in a no-win situation when folks think this way with regard to the issue of racism. We will never be able to satisfy people with such an attitude. We certainly don't have to encourage it, though. Are there any helpful ways we can challenge this thinking without being called racists for doing so? I suspect that the answer is, "No," but I would welcome suggestions.