I'm not even gonna backtrace this, but my initial point is that - emotions are important. Hear me out!
Riots come from bad emotions. In politics, "bad emotions" are called dissent
Dissent costs society, in the long run, more and more.
That is what a lot of this stuff is about, it's not about "feeling sorry for the feels and emotions and the tears and the cries", it's about containing dissent - which is a balancing act between allowing too much, and allowing too little.
Am I for it? Or against it?
For or against what, dissent? Flags? Idunno
Fine, my 5 cents on the flag... I am always in favor of the resurrection of original imagery, if that imagery is indeed innocent. I am amused by the thought of western punk bands trying to showcase the swastika, in order to give it new meaning, although I doubt the effectiveness.
I am completely fine w the swastika being used in various Asian decorations, including a well known Manga series, because intention is what's important.
Now, what's also important is that this manga does not cause costly dissent.
As for the confederate flag, well, there's allready been riots. A lot of people say and express "it's enough with that flag", while others disagree. Dissent has set root.
Now, in my opinion, the wisest thing would be to let go of the flag. But that does not mean that I am unaware of its history, or its meaning outside of racism.
I'm completely aware that the use of that flag, or derivates of - in actual American state flags, have not - this entire time - been motivated by racism. That would be ridiculous. They're motivated by a sense of pride in their history, regardless of the dark side of it.
But we keep coming back to the reality that a lot of people disagree.
That disagreement is a reality, which means the dissent is, and it has to be dealt with, because it can't be mocked, laughed or pointed-at away