Salman RushdieSalman Rushdie, (1947-) British-Indian novelist and essayist

Salman Rushdie Quote

“Freedom of speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself. What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist.”

Salman RushdieSalman Rushdie
~ Salman Rushdie

"The right to be downright offensive" by Jonathan Duffy in BBC News Magazine (21 December 2004)

Ratings and Comments


jim k, Austin

No one has any right to NOT be offended. 

Mike, Norwalk

The freedom to feel emotional discomfort by another's speech or action more often demonstrates the character of the offended the the offender.

E Archer, NYC

Once again, it's a battle of words.  Redefining 'violence' to include 'hurting' one's feelings.  To hold an opinion is considered the 'bullying' of others with opposing views.  Misuse of language, twisting the meaning of words  look no further than the legal establishment which uses every trick in the book to fleece the common people of the fruits of their labors by the stroke of a pen.  'Hate speech' is not only grammatically incorrect, it is a ploy to omit and prohibit opposing viewpoints.  'Screw you!' is hateful speech obviously, but where does and who draws the line and by what authority?  Trying to shut people up is not liberal or progressive, THAT is violence, not the speech.

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