[RANT] "Safe Spaces".

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When did the definition of a "Safe Space" go from "... a place where like-minded individuals can find comfort and support, while engaging in discussions on their common topics of interest", to "... a place where any whack-job nutcases can assert their authority to demand conformity and submission from anyone who may disagree with them in any way"?

Yep.....they could, when abused, be used as "run and hide" places for people who want to insult someone, then run away. For bullies who could then claim they have "emotional problems," and need to hide.

I believe in "safe spaces." But abuse of them should be prevented.

To me, a "Safe Space" (for example) is a place where my friends and I can go to play all manner of table-top role-playing games, and not to force anyone who walks in to play only Dungeons & Dragons, and only by our "house rules".

It's a place of comfort, not conformity.

Yep. Definitely a place of comfort.

I’ve noticed the trend. I’m not as smart and witty as you two, but I definitely agree with the theme of this thread.

Here's an example of how a "Safe Space" can be abused. It happened on 2016/10/12 in South Africa. The woman speaking demands an apology from someone for having a different opinion.

^^^what kinda mind raping was happening in that place?!

It's called "Decolonialization"; the effort to remove all traces of South Africa's colonial past and replace them with native-African effects. The woman in the video was at the forefront of the movement, which eventually came to embrace the idea of throwing out "Western" or "White" science and replace it with "African" science that allegedly includes a system of magic.

Someone disagreed with her, so she went ballistic on the person and demanded an apology because the conference was taking place in a "Safe Space" -- actually an "Echo Chamber" where people only repeat and agree with certain ideas, patting one another on the back instead of contributing new thoughts.

In this context, the term "Safe Space" should refer an autonomous space created for individuals who feel marginalized, so that they can come together to communicate regarding their experiences with marginalization and oppression.

IMHO if those people were more fair-minded they would have advertised ahead of time, "only such and such philosophies are welcome here!" but if they did it that way then they couldn't mind-rape anybody.

Most "Safe Spaces" that I've visited do have a set of rules where everyone can see them; rules like:


• All questions will be addressed appropriately (i.e., no "Blame-Shaming", no correcting grammar, et cetera)

• Everyone's opinions -- or lack of thereof -- are to be respected

• It is all right to not know the answers to everything -- "I don't know" is a valid answer to any question

• Participants have the right to "pass" on questions that feel uncomfortable

• Respect others' differences

• Speak only for yourself

• The "Vegas Rule": What's said in the safe space stays in the safe space.