The Illusion of “Safe Space”

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I just finished reading a book called The Coddling of the American Mind, which delineates the recent and unabashed culture of safetyism that has infiltrated college campuses, the far left, and made life more difficult for young people. First Amendment expert Greg Lukianoff and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explore three ideas that have become increasingly woven into American childhood and education:

1. What doesn’t kill you makes you weaker;

2. Always trust your feelings; and

3. Life is a battle between good people and evil people.

There is a section that ideates the recent phenomenon of “safe spaces,” which Miriam Webster defines as: a place (as on a college campus) intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations.”

Example: “Student volunteers put up posters advertising that a “safe space” would be available for anyone who found the debate too upsetting. — Judith Shulevitz

Example: “Women, sexual assault victims, people of color, transgender students, etc. College campuses have created “safe spaces” for all sorts of marginalized groups.” — Catherine Rampell