What is the controversy surrounding #takeaknee

[henryp]

I think our disconnect is that I think Kapernick's protesting the flag is justified and doesn't need to be hedged.  Because once you start spinning it, and making excuses, and writing opinion pieces saying what he really meant, and etc... you end up with the pile of meaningless shit we saw this sunday.

Except it still isn't the flag being protested. The protest isn't that superficial

That's a bit of an Airplane! quality literal take.  Flag symbolizes America.  America treats black people poorly.  So he doesn't stand for flag.

It seems so straightforward and justified.  I don't see why anyone would complicate such a direct and strong statement.