@Linkat,
It can be, but it isn't always.
I never watched the Dukes of Hazzard, but the stars and bars were featured in the show we can be reasonably certain it wasn't intended as a racist symbol.
In general, the South as a region has been a target, for many years, of scorn and derision by Northerners...especially those who like to think of themselves as urbane and intellectually elite.
If a Southerner or a group of Southerners wishes to express pride in their region and at the same time tweak the snoots of condescending Northerners, the Condfederate flag is not only the obvious symbol to use, it's virtually the only one.
What else might they use?
1) A cotton blossom?
2) Fried chicken?
3) The Coral snake?
I'm sure there are people who do use the symbol to connote their racist beliefs, and I appreciate why African-Americans might find public usage inappropriate, but I also appreciate the sentiments of the young black woman who you quoted in your post. There are too many people looking for reasons to be offended, as a means of self-affirmation...but that's a topic for another thread.
At the same time, I think those who think of employing the flag as a symbol should think twice and consider how it may reflect upon themselves.