I am being dismissive of the Satanic Panic because it had no base, and should not have offended anyone. The Vistani are offensive and should be changed. If the orcs are being offensive, they should be changed. If you haven't had the experiences that the people complaining about these race depictions have, don't fight against the change because it doesn't change anything for you, and is a valid complaint.
I probably shouldn't step into this one, but there's a logical inconsistency that should be pointed out--that may be at the heart of what Maxperson is trying to express, and where the impasse lies. I can't speak for Max, but I don't think the issue is what it or is not worthy of being offended by, but suggesting that if we're going to respect one person's right to be offended, why not respect another's,
even if we disagree on whether or not it is inherently offensive or offensive to us.
Now I personally think the Satanic Panic was absurd. I think the orc thing is over the top and misguided, but not (as) absurd. Meaning, I get it, I just think it is misguided and based upon a false equivalency. The Vistani
is actually directly based upon a real group, and thus warrants more of a examination. But I don't want to rehash all that again, just putting my cards on the table.
But isn't the logic behind, "offense is real, even if unintentional or misguided," that we respect and don't rationalize what they're offended by, even if we see it differently? Isn't taking offense a subjective thing, based upon a subjective interpretation, so why not respect everyone's sense of being offended, regardless of what it is based on?
Again, understand that I am not defending the Satanic Panic and think that it was silly (to put it charitably). But you're drawing a clear line between two categories, and saying that one isn't worthy of offense and should be disregarded, while the other is -- based upon your own values. Whether or not I agree with you is beside the point, which is that
you are choosing what others should or should not be offended by, which is exactly the same complaint waged against those who don't think orcs are offensive, and "should not have offended anyone."