General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: How is it NOT a display of white privilege to mock the idea of "Safe Spaces"? [View all]Oneironaut
(5,479 posts)I agree with the notion that everybody should be treated with respect (within reason). We shouldn't need safe spaces for that.
In the other sense, the world is not a "safe space." I really don't like the term, because "safe space" to me means "echo chamber." It also has the connotation of physical danger - tying opinions to physical danger is in fact dangerous in its own right.
Colleges especially should be teaching people to think, justify, and debate their opinions, not to be of the opinion that anybody who disagrees with them is a bad person and/or "the enemy."
I often see Fundamentalists with the same mindset - they're right, and anybody who disagrees is an "outsider" bent on invading their safety. Anyone who doesn't obey the echo chamber must have ulterior motives or is just ignorant. Any free thought or disagreement is heavily discouraged - the group must decide for you what you think, what your talking points should be, and who the mortal enemy is. In this way, beliefs are heavily policed and enforced.