According to the SafeSpaceNetwork, "A Safe Space is a place where anyone can relax and be able to fully express, without fear of being made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or unsafe on account of biological sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural background, religious affiliation, age, or physical or mental ability."
What if I wanted to "fully express" criticism of a culture or religion in a "safe space" though? This statement and belief is oxymoronic double-think.
Safe spaces and ridiculous trigger warnings are not about removing fear. Too often their actual effect, intended or not, is to create fear and to stifle expression.
A responsible independent person should possess the mental skills to be able to handle discussing difficult concepts or listening to those that don't match their own ideas. If someone isn't exposed to these, how will they learn how?
My issues with safe spaces and trigger warnings come from the the potential abuse of these labels by a minority of individuals.
I agree. Too often it seems these concepts are used by the insane trying to take over the asylum.
I find your point of "how will they learn how" super interesting. While I would hope people would like to challenge themselves and grow, instead of just building a stronger bubble -- that's ultimately up to them to decide -- as long as they don't impede on my own desire to expand my bubble as opposed to just strengthen it.
I for sure agree with you, I think the concepts of safe spaces and trigger warnings are regularly abused. As an adult you should always make the best decisions for you and your specific situation.
But I don't think anything, whether that be safe spaces, trigger warnings, or being against them should be forced on you.
For example, if a professor in class decides to say "this video has a scene of rape.." I don't think there is anything wrong with that. However, if they have to listen 20 pages of potential offenses, I think that's overboard.
Adults should be able to make their own educated decisions.