Final answer:
The basic rule of communication alluded to is using standard English in professional contexts to convey education and professionalism. The text highlights the complexity of language about cultural identity, race, and inclusivity, emphasizing the importance of understanding the history and impact of racially charged words.
Step-by-step explanation:
The basic rule of communication referred to in 'In Defense of a Loaded Word' is the expectation that all individuals use standard English in professional settings to demonstrate education and professionalism. This standard often results in a code-switching necessity for Black people, where they must navigate between using standard English and variations of their language that may be more prevalent in their communities. The text from OpenStax discusses the complexities of language use in relation to power dynamics, cultural identity, and the shifting norms of inclusivity in language, specifically the use of racially charged words and their historical and contemporary implications.
Language rules are implicitly known but unspoken, such as the 'unwritten' rules of segregation or the evolving guidelines that the Associated Press uses for terms like 'Black' with a capital 'B'. Conversations about race and language are informed by historical context, social justice movements like 'Black Lives Matter', and the work of linguists and other professionals in adapting language to be more inclusive. Therefore, Professor Kennedy's reflections on the use of the racial slur also iterate that everyone should be aware of the history and impact of such words and use them sparingly or preferably not at all—even if reclaimed by some within the Black community.