It's not so much about why the flag is flown (I agree it's not always because of racism) but it is that they do it in spite of such obvious (it is obvious, no excuses) racist symbolism. If someone's sense of pride willingly or willfully blindly treads on others' dignity, shame, and fear of violence, I've got no patience for such sentiment. At a certain point--which we've reached in these years of Trump in that we must face the full scope of racism, in all its subtly--in-spite-of blurs into because: apathy to racism may not be as awful as intent to be racist, but it is nonetheless awful, as it enables the latter; indeed apathy is the lifeblood of hate. Just stop giving people a pass (not that you are, but genuinely the sentiment of southern pride does), and really, as we continue to invoke in this thread, hold near like-minded people accountable (which is really difficult to give affect to in our real lives). (And as an aside, keep posting. I really appreciate your tone and thoughtfulness!).