You don’t need a more safe space

Did you know that Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy has a dedicated “Safe Space”? Located in the former offices of Rubenstein Hall, this safe space is designed to protect people from “humiliating, hostile, or difficult situations.” a respite from the discourse that may accompany it.” The idea of ​​a “safe space,” whether physical or metaphorical, is certainly not new on college campuses, including Duke University. Administrators, professors, and student leaders alike are expected to be dedicated to maintaining this safe space, keeping people happy, comfortable, and (most importantly) safe. However, I must admit that the reliance on the ubiquitous “safe spaces” on Duke University’s campus does not give me a very warm and welcoming feeling, but rather a feeling of persistent frustration. .

The surface-level concept of safe spaces doesn’t seem all that controversial. Students must be confident that their classrooms are free from discrimination, harassment, and serious physical or emotional harm of any kind. These types of safe spaces should absolutely be a priority on campus.

But in reality, “safe space” is an unfortunate oxymoron. Safe spaces do not necessarily indicate community or comfort, nor do they indicate censorship or anxiety. From my perspective, a safe space is simply a place for group think, without the diversity and disagreement that leads to intellectual growth. It’s safe to follow a predetermined discussion checklist. But deviating from the norm not only makes the “safe space” unsafe, but it also makes you, yourself, in the “safe space” unsafe. Safe spaces function under the guise of protection from harm, but functionally they protect students from real truths and disagreements while at the same time fueling their fear of expressing their opinions openly.

The artificial concept of a safe space is not far removed from the comfort and freedom I felt in last semester’s Political Polarization class with Professor John Rhodes. Throughout the semester, our classes delve into the depths of political debate, exploring controversial topics such as abortion, affirmative action, gender identity, and pronouns to build community and build understanding and respect amid political disagreement. We have delved into topics that inspire I found this class completely refreshing in an incredibly divisive political culture that consistently stifles open discussion and denies the plausibility of bipartisan friendship. I have friends and family raving about the sense of community in the classroom, despite our political differences, and the absolute emphasis on free speech, which is in stark contrast to other political science and public policy classes. Did.

In each class, students are sure to express their honest opinions. And they did so because they knew the classroom was: Really safety. It’s not safe in the general university sense, but it’s safe because it assumes good intentions. Our classroom was able to thrive in a world of free and open discussion because everyone in the classroom believed that everyone had good intentions. I needed to listen with my heart, not just my head. We needed to understand where each other was coming from. We needed to see each other as human beings, not political caricatures. We had to hear things that made us uncomfortable, angry, and upset.

To be truly safe, you had to feel unsafe.

My father likes to joke that this class, which I admired so much, was really just a class back in the day. And while I’d like to prove him wrong, I also have his point that this course shouldn’t be as revolutionary as I think it is.Political science course should There are discussions across the political spectrum; should It can be uncomfortable and even controversial. It should not be safe, and Professor Rose’s class should not be an exception to the norm of safe spaces in the classroom, but an exemplar of a new norm of open and honest discussion.

For many, the prospect of academic spaces with complete and total freedom of speech on elite university campuses in 2024 still seems like a complete delusion. But somehow, PoliSci 208 achieved it. And for me, that It’s the ultimate safe space.