Im 32 yo and I agree partially with you, but at the same time I dont expect things to stay the same as when I was growing up because no functional society should ever keep the same social standards every generation, what kind of proggress is that? Standards change because social structures change and our perspective on certain things changes as well and we shouldnt tolerate certain attitudes anymore just because "we used to not make a big fuss about it" back when the opressed/affected group had no voice to begin with. Having thick skin when it comes to criticism is important, but having empathy and self-awareness is just as important.
And words ARE powerful, and we shouldnt justify or dismiss people's shitty behavior when it has crossed the line of whats tolerable within the context of whatever event it is. Context its everything. Its a very different thing to be making racist/sexist/homophobic/whatever jokes with your friends - Which I personally do all the time because fuck it, I know they dont care - than in a public setting or work enviroment. That shoud be common sense. Freedom of speech =/= Freedom of consequence.
Having that said I dont get the costumes thing. I dont get why "blackface" or "indian" costumes are an issue. Representing a character for a costume shouldnt be that big of a deal, but im not from the USA so I imagine thats a cultural thing.
