Salman Rushdie Controversy

Ernst has missed the point in his article calling for an understanding as to why Rushdie has so offended the Muslim world. That particular plea is part of a disturbing modern trend towards an exaggerated and patronizing politeness, which says that it is incumbent upon all of us to be so sensitive of the sensibilities of special groups that we ruffle no feathers, give no offense.

If this continues, we will find ourselves living in the world of Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451.” Does “Huckleberry Finn” offend blacks? Take it off the shelves. “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” upsets whites. Get rid of it. Sax Rohmer’s Fu Manchu, a dreadful racial stereotype . . . burn it. “The Last Temptation of Christ?” Ashes, for sure.

A writer has no responsibility to be aware of the sensibilities of others. Sometimes, to be true to his vision and his art, he must offend. If there are those who do not like his work, who are angered by it, they have an opportunity to retaliate by writing a response. Khomeini’s never heard of this, but in America we call it the free exchange of ideas.

LES A. DOUGLAS

Fullerton