The term 'safe space' has become widely known and applied in many situations over the last few years. According to a Safe Space Tumblr page, safe spaces are is a place where anyone can relax and be able to fully express, without fear of being made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or unsafe on account of biological sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural background, religious affiliation, age, or physical or mental ability. There is, however, a lot of controversy surrounding what they are and what they prevent. What are the issues that many have with these spaces? And how can the organisations be changed to protect freedom of speech anywhere?
Firstly, what do safe spaces keep us safe from? Essentially, it is any opinion or view that you disagree with and do not want to hear. Not just harsh, direct insults designed to personally hurt someone, which are mean and unnecessary, but anyone wanting to express any view whatsoever. In this space, (I do not know the exact dimensions needed in order for the room to be a 'safe space') ideas are shunned, opinions that differ from the 'acceptable' mainstream line are banned and the ability to raise your views is not tolerated. When reading up on this matter, I found someone in a safe space had been given a severe warning for 'raising their hand' which violated 'safe space' rules. It appears utterly ridiculous. When researching the main locations of these 'safe spaces', they mainly pop up in universities. Universities: the beacons for debate, thought, free speech, the embraces of liberty full of areas when debate is banned and beliefs are discouraged. The place where people join their debating society, arguing motions to persuade as many people for or against a particular idea, developing the passion of thought, being challenged on views with passionate opposition and discovering where they lie on a whole range of issues. It saddens me that such excellent, high standard educational areas are being silenced from within. Some say these safe spaces began after a speech made by Marine Le Pen, the leader of the French right wing, social conservative 'National Front' party, in 2015 at the Oxford Union. Many protested against her speech at the Union, because of her perceived nationalist, anti-immigration views. I deplore much of what the 'National Front' stand for and believe they do not have the right policies, not attitude for France. But that is for another post. Whatever her 'extreme' views, I believe she always has the right to free speech and the right to be heard. If we really are in a free society, Le Pen's views should be heard and then challenged with ideas and logical reason from fierce opposition. That way, both sides of the argument are heard and people can leave with a more informed view. Instead, society tries to shut down beliefs it doesn't like, which only fuels the rise of extreme racism in this scenario. It does seem the list of things you can't say is longer than the list of things you can. As a society, there has been too much focus on being 'politically correct', which dismisses many views that people feel around the country. My argument is not about agreeing with or defending someone's view. Fundamentally, it is defending the right for that view to be shared, and not silenced. I am proud that the UK is largely a free society. I do however worry about the future of thought: where debate becomes more cleansed, views more narrow minded and opinions more enforced. That day, if it came, would be a very bad day indeed.
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