The flag of the army that fought to own slaves is, and will always be, inherently political.
"It represents rebellion."
And the confederates were rebelling in order to retain their rights to do what? To own WHO?
I don't care about the flag, but you geezers need to realize that time has passed and the confederate flag does not carry the same meaning for a lot of the population as it does for you. Because Dukes of Hazard is no longer culturally relevant to new generations. The confederate flag is now mostly seen as exactly how it was intended to be perceived by those who started flying it - a flag to represent the army who fought to enslave people. Failed traitors. Whatever you want to call them.
Just because the flag is not political TO YOU, does not mean it isn't to tons of other people.
As a business, with an already struggling playerbase, it is not surprising whatsoever that stuff like this is not allowed anymore.
And to the comment "its been allowed for the last 15 years" .... how about we think how many things that were considered normal 15 years ago are now unacceptable. That's is just what happens when time passes.