If you are the member of a privileged group AND call yourself progressive

[alc]

151. the concept of "offending" or "offensive" have been dumbed down

If someone calls Obama an n-word, that's racism/bigotry/racist (whatever term you want to use). If someone says they disagree with Obama's economic policies, that's not racism. But I've seen LOTS of times where someone is using words that only deal with economics but they are called racists. Maybe their intent is racist, but they aren't displaying it, so don't use the label. Either ignore them or have a discussion about the topic.

And not just racism. There are lots of potentially useful conversations that can't get started because someone immediately declares that the other side is using code words, or being insensitive, or being cruel. Those claims have lost a lot of meaning since many well-intentioned peopled have been incorrectly labeled rather than joined in a rational debate. They assume the label is wrong for them so likely wrong in other instances it's used and don't get concerned when they hear it happening.

You're talking mostly about jokes, but it does all tie together.