Rushdie Calls Hebdo-Haters ‘Pussies’

Salman Rushdie called out the authors who are boycotting the PEN American Center gala over its decision to award Charlie Hebdo its “freedom of expression courage” award. “The award will be given. PEN is holding firm. Just 6 pussies. Six Authors in Search of a bit of Character,” Rushdie tweeted Monday. He criticized the authors—Peter Carey, Michael Ondaatje, Francine Prose, Teju Cole, Rachel Kushner, and Taiye Selasi—for deciding not to attend the ceremony because they don’t agree with what they are say are Islamophobic and racist depictions in the magazine. The prize will be accepted by Jean-Baptise Thoret, who is a Charlie Hebdo staffer who missed work on the morning that 12 of his co-workers were assassinated by terrorists.