“ Get ready for the real world” That is what we hear in every year of our school and college lives. However, as good as their intentions are, the coddling that the teachers and administers enforce do exactly the opposite. Lately there has been a lot of talk about safe spaces and if they have a place in our universities. The University of Chicago has recently made a statement saying that they will not support them. This has received both positive and negative reactions stretching from congratulations to the school to demonizing them. However, U Chicago has it right.
Safe spaces in college have a tendency to disrupt education instead of help it progress. As a college student, I understand that some topics must be approached in a certain way. However, I do not believe that some students must be told that they cannot express their views in a class debate or discussion. Controversial topics often bring out opinions that may not be supported by everyone or may go against what a certain group of people believe. These topics are often presented to classes with heavy trigger warnings and reminders of safe spaces. This not only discourages students from expressing themselves but also steers the conversation towards one view.
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The “real world”, as we call the world outside of school and college, has never created a safe space such as the ones that have appeared in colleges. Yes, blatant offensive language such as racist and sexist comments should not be tolerated. However, a difference of opinion or an educated debate between coworkers should not be met with criticism. Unfortunately, the safe spaces and trigger warnings in college classes leave our future workers not ready for that exact situations. Classes where opposing opinions are stifled with safe spaces and trigger warnings never allow for a real debate to occur. Thus, students come out either afraid to express themselves or completely unaware that others may argue a different point of view. This creates a tense and unhealthy work environment not to mention an unproductive one.
I am all for making sure our students feel safe in school and college. However, I also support challenging them to argue and stand up for themselves when other students do not agree. To allow the silencing of some students for the benefit of others ends up benefiting no one at all.
