“What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist”
— Salman Rushdie
Simplified Meaning:
Freedom of expression means you are allowed to say what you think. However, if you can only say things that don't upset others, then you aren't truly free to speak your mind. Imagine you're in a classroom and the teacher says you can talk about any subject, but you should avoid anything that might make others uncomfortable. This limitation means you can't talk about many important or complex topics because they might upset someone. True freedom of expression includes the ability to say things that are controversial or even offensive. For instance, when people protested against unfair laws in history, they often said things that the government or other people didn’t like, but those protests were essential for change. To apply this in your life, understand that respecting others is important, but being able to express your honest opinions, even if they're unpopular, is a crucial part of freedom.