Words can't act, but they can compel, coerce, and intimidate. It absolutely _is_ a safety issue. You can argue over the applicability to this particular situation, but to imply that words are harmless is a disservice to rights guaranteed us under the first amendment.
But their power is also why the first amendment only applies to the government not being able to persecute you. Why should people have the right to speech without consequence of any sort?
Which is why the story about a public university is disturbing. Or the story of a statute for equality being abused in an attempt to silence someone.
Yes. Above and beyond things that are horrifically traumatic, those groups who have been marginalized in society ought have that privilege. When you spend decades or centuries having the deck stacked against you, it is a completely appropriate approach to attempt to swing the balance back in the other direction.
> I (seriously) get triggered when i read arguments like yours.
My apologies. It's my mistake, as I forgot who the _real_ marginalized people are in society - Hacker News posters. Please forgive me.