Have you considered that the explanation is phenomenological? More mundane yet in it’s own way possibly more disturbing than your homonculus theory.

Is it worth mentioning that the “historical pride” argument is even further belied by the fact that the “Confederate flag” was not even the actual Confederate flag? It’s the Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia, i.e. inherently militant. Apparently, no one ever really flew it since the Civil War until Brown…