Last week, University of Chicago issued a letter to the Class of 2020. In it, the Dean of Students, Jay Ellison, says, "Our commitment to academic freedom means that we do not support so-called 'trigger warnings,' we do not cancel invited speakers because their topics might prove controversial, and we do not condone the creation of intellectual 'safe space' where individuals can retreat from ideas and perspectives at odds with their own."
I have to say, I agree. During the first week of school, the words "safe space" have been used several times. Each time the phrase is used, it makes me cringe. That was until one of my professors gave his definition of a safe space. It isn't a cushy little room where no one can hurt a poor little millennial's delicate feelings, but a place where people are free to express their ideas in a respectful way. Respect that other people may disagree with you.
The world around us is constantly changing. The world changes through an exchange of ideas. These new ideas very rarely enter your life from looking in a mirror and hearing your own words repeated back to you. If you live in a safe space where you're only with people who agree with every word you say, you're never going to grow as a person.
A safe space in society today is viewed as a place where no one can say anything that goes against what someone else disagrees with. If this is the case, why does the first amendment even exist?
Instead of putting today's millenials in cushy little rooms where no one can hurt their delicate feelings, let's redefine what a safe space is. A safe space should be where people are free to express their ideas, but in a respectful way. Respect that othe rpeople may disagree with you. Respect that they have the right to do so. Respect that they have a right to voice their disagreement.
This will only work, however, if everyone subscribes to this idea. The idea that instead of turning to crass insults as is seen on pretty much any public Facebook comments section, fight ideas that you don't agree with by forming an intelligent, informed opinion.
