Are Safe Spaces And Censorship Helping Or Hurting Us? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Are Safe Spaces And Censorship Helping Or Hurting Us?

You're in college. Be challenged by new ideas; don't hide from them.

123
Are Safe Spaces And Censorship Helping Or Hurting Us?
Dan Bair

Trigger warnings, safe spaces, and free speech have been a hot topic among college campuses recently. Some would argue that safe spaces and trigger warnings are present to help people to cope with subject matter that may be traumatic to them; however, the concept of safe spaces and trigger warnings has been abused and distorted. Look, I get it. I understand that rating systems are used for things like movies, TV shows, and video games. I understand that everyone deals with traumatic experiences differently. Safe spaces can be beneficial for people suffering from things like PTSD or addiction; that was the original intention of safe spaces. However, safe spaces have now become ideological bubbles, free of opposing opinions.

College campuses used to be places where your ideas were challenged. They were places for open discussion and exposure to new ideas. Students used to protest in favor of free speech; now, they protest to stifle it. When speakers such as Milo Yiannapoulos and Christina Hoff Sommers have come to college campuses, protesters have torn down fliers, interrupted events, and sometimes even become violent. Many of these speakers have Q&A segments during their events; why not ask them a question instead? Why not have a civilized debate or discussion instead of trying to shout down those with different opinions? Do you really need a safe space because someone you did not like wanted to speak?

Freedom of speech is crucial to living in a free society, and that includes speech that is unpopular. As long as they are not inciting violence or unlawful behavior, they should be allowed to speak. How can one grow as a person if they are never exposed to new ideas? How can one improve their arguments for issues that they care deeply about if they never hear from the other side? Do we really want to live in a society in which people are afraid to voice their opinions?

There is something interesting I've noticed from many proponents of "safe spaces;" they often tend to be in favor of censorship until it threatens their own opinions. If a feminist's event had been canceled at a college campus, many would be protesting and accusing the university of misogyny. However, according to them, universities have the right to choose who they want to host, right? Censorship isn't so great if it's not working in your favor, is it?

Protecting others' right to free speech also protects your own. If you try to censor someone's ideas because they are offensive to you, there will not be much to prevent someone on the other side from trying to do the same. Many college campuses value racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity, and that's great; however, we also need to value a diversity of thought.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

73
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

446411
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

19831
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

43322
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments