This is a popularity fallacy.
“An unknown amount of people believe this so that means this thing is that!”.
Did you, or did you not try to argue a symbol of the confederacy, which is steeped in racism and slavery, was not a symbol of the confederacy? Again, your intent my not have been to mount such a defense, but you did do so.
What we intend to do, and our actions, are not always the same.
Being in denial is not a good thing.
Simple, because people would take words for what they are, rather than adding meaning to them for the sake of being offended, like you did.
Particularly after acknowledging your intent.
No one called you anything, you entirely did it to yourself, as always.
I do, and it was warranted for him to be fired and the smart business decision as well.