We live in a culture where various opinions can be dispensed freely in different forms, whether verbally or online, and many of us consider our freedom of speech to be a God-given liberty. However, we also live in a time when political correctness is a point of contention amongst different ends of the political spectrum, some arguing that correctness enables a healthy dialogue, whereas others believe that it hinders our ability to express ourselves freely and honestly. I have always possessed the school-of-thought that if a person is educated, then they do not need to insult, demean or dehumanize other people in order to prove their point. One of the issues that our political climate has is that the moment someone has a different opinion than our own that person is labeled as “wrong.” I know a lot of people who arguably have “wrong” opinions, but from an intellectual point-of-view, saying so would be illogical. An opinion is by definition, a view or judgment formed about something that is not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. Therefore, an opinion cannot be considered wrong -- you merely do not agree with that particular view that is expressed. The reason that I mention people labeling opinions as “wrong” is because this year I have encountered many people saying that their opinions should not be restricted and that “safe spaces” infringe upon that right.

During the last year, there were two separate occasions when safe spaces were mentioned around me. The first time, my philosophy professor posed the question, “Should we have safe spaces?” to my class and the second time included a dialogue between my peers. A safe space, for those who are unfamiliar with the term, is, according to the nonprofit organization, Advocates for Youth, “A place where anyone can relax and be fully self-expressed, without fear of being made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome or challenged on account of biological sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural background, age, or physical or mental ability; a place where the rules guard each person’s self-respect, dignity and feelings and strongly encourage everyone to respect others.” Many people believe that such a place is idealistic and that putting oneself in an “exclusive” place is the equivalent to being secluded in a bubble. However, I have a few examples of common safe spaces that most people use in their daily experiences without even considering them safe spaces possibly because they are more traditional and organized.

1. The Library

For those who seek solace in their work, the library is a place where most people seek the same thing: quiet and concentration. Those who are in a library share the common desire to study and whether or not they choose to acknowledge it, they do not have to fear that any ascriptive qualities they possess will harm them while they are there.

2. A Place Of Worship

When people experience hardships in their life, they often turn to their religion (if they have one, or sometimes even if they do not) to seek answers. Whether attending a church, synagogue or mosque, people go to their place of worship so that they can be around people who possess similar values, especially when they feel as though those who do not share the same ones are threatening their belief system.

3. A Family Member Or A Friend

A safe space does not necessarily have to be a location, but it can also be a particular person or what that person stands for. When someone has a fight with his or her significant other, that person is likely to seek solace with friends, because they know that friends are generally more stable than any relationship. Alternatively, if a person is in college and is having trouble with his or her friend group that person will likely seek comfort from family, whether that means calling them or going home for the weekend.

To answer the question that my philosophy professor posed: Yes, I believe that we should have safe spaces because for many people, we already do. Safe spaces encourage positive thinking and engagement. Quite frankly, there is a greater issue at hand in regards to one’s compassion and treatment of others if that person feels that it is not within his or her ability to respect others with whom he or she is not personally, physically or emotionally affected by. Moreover, the reason that many people are opposed to safe spaces is because it upsets their own privilege. Those who already have safe spaces in developed establishments, such as places of worship, may not see it as beneficial for them if there are more created because they will feel excluded. I have recently come to the realization that we are not all going to be included in every aspect of someone’s life and that is fine because we cannot possibly relate to everyone’s individual experiences.

As far as I am concerned, a safe space is what you make it. The term, like most others that call to question our ability to run our mouths, has developed a negative connotation that does not align with the beneficial nature that it has for all of us. I encourage you all to expand your minds to a certain degree and consider that at some point in your life, you either were or will be a member of a club, organization, religion or community of people, whether that includes friends, colleagues or family. The likelihood is great that you were or are in that environment because you share the same values as those others who are in it and because you respect one another: That is a safe space by principle. Embrace it.