Summary

Brendan O’Neil begins his speech, “Freedom of Speech and Right to Offend”, by giving three historical examples of offensive behaviour at Oxford University which have had positive outcomes in the long run. John Wycliffe was expelled from Oxford for translating the Bible into English, and so was Percy Bysshe Shelley for witting a pamphlet supporting atheism. Then, a gay magazine from Oxford, “The Chameleon” was also banned from publication.

The speaker uses these examples to argue in favour of the right to offend as part of free speech. According to O’Neil, offensiveness is not only a right but also a duty which helps humanity move forward.

The speaker continues by giving three other examples from history which also challenged established ideas...