Don't give up so easily. Education, historical context and experience have a lot to do with how people perceive words. Unfortunately though, you are right to a large degree...people are easily offended these days. I think it's because it's easier to be offended and lash out than it is to have an intelligent conversation and admit you may be wrong or settle differences. Likewise, it's easier to offend and then accuse people of being too sensitive.
But let me ask you, if you had a good friend who was black and grew up in The Pink Houses, wouldn't you believe that their interpretation of certain words and phrases could be different than a black friend who grew up in Ames, Ia.?
IDK...it's a great topic and will be interesting to see how the courts feels about what was said. I'd hate to be part of that case...on either side.