This is the best point made concerning the use of certain language in our everyday conversations.

 

The problem is, words don't cause pain and hurt. It's what they represent that causes the pain and the hurt. That's the distinction that is being overlooked here. Don't get me wrong. I, as a rule, don't go around using the N, C, or J words. In fact, I can't ever remember using and of those words. All I'm saying is that I personally won't make a blanket statement that I would never use one of those words if I was with the right people and the context seemed humorous to me. I just won't say that off color humor, when done right, is always offensive. If my audience finds it humorous and I find it humorous then, IMO, it's humorous and not offensive. It gets offensive when the intent behind it IS to cause pain and hurt.