So-called "safe spaces" -- where students can shield themselves from uncomfortable or dissenting viewpoints -- might be all the rage on college campuses, but they would not have been too popular with the founding fathers, say Constitutional law experts.
"I think the problem is they're trying to use this word 'safe' – which conveys the image of a violent attack – and turning it into safe from ideas and statements we find offensive," said UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh. "There is no right to be safe from that."
"That is directly contrary to what universities are all about," Volokh told FoxNews Friday.
On Oct. 30, Erika Christakis, Yale faculty member and associate "master" of Silliman College -- a residential community within the university -- sent an e-mail to students in which she questioned an earlier missive by the university that urged students to "take the time to consider their [Halloween] costumes and the impact it may have" -- including feathered headdresses, turbans, wearing "war paint" or changing the color of one's skin tone.
"Dear Sillimanders," Christakis' e-mail began. "I don’t wish to trivialize genuine concerns about cultural and personal representation, and other challenges to our lived experience in a plural community. I know that many decent people have proposed guidelines on Halloween costumes from a spirit of avoiding hurt and offense. I laud those goals, in theory, as most of us do."
"But in practice, I wonder if we should reflect more transparently, as a community, on the consequences of an institutional (which is to say: bureaucratic and administrative) exercise of implied control over college students," Christaki said.
Referring to her husband, Silliman College "master" and Yale professor, Christakis added, "Nicholas says, if you don’t like a costume someone is wearing, look away, or tell them you are offended. Talk to each other. Free speech and the ability to tolerate offense are the hallmarks of a free and open society."
Christakis' e-mail spurred outrage among a large group of students at Yale, who staged a massive protest.
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4 comments:
I totally agree with the writer. The students want to independently do their own thing such as get drunk, get high, have sex and party on their own terms. But, they demand mommies and daddies Dean to create a safe place when REAL life, responsibilities, and being held accountable for their action comes a calling. These kids don't want to learn. The entire article proves that. Excellent reading. Furthermore, no one should loss their job at this school.
safe space = clearly identifiable pussies. Let these weak minded people have their space, put up a signup sheet and post it online. It makes it much easier to weed these morons out for employment later, hopefully they starve in their parents basement.
Ah, but 10:27 they won't starve in their parent's basement. They will collect disability checks for the rest of their worthless lives because they can't handle the stress of the real world! We are not supposed to raise kids but future adults.
safe space means spot to avoid responsibility for breaking the law...not a space where they are safe...think Sanctuary City
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