1. platforms such as instagram and pinterest (where these types of memes are very commonly posted) have OCR capabilities and will restrict posts that contain certain language
2. some people choose to “defang” their language intentionally, especially when joking, in order to make it clear that the word isn’t used with derogatory intent
3. using asterisks to c*nsor words is common in ironic posting, increasing the satirical value of the post.

we have had partial censorship in media for decades now. no clue why people get so pissy when it happens on the internet.