A few weeks ago, you may have heard about a freshman welcome letter sent by the University of Chicago (source) that says that the school does not support "so-called trigger warnings" and "safe spaces." I am not against the school as a whole, but this is simply my opinion regarding this specific statement. As somebody who deals with anxiety on a daily basis, trigger warnings are important. If not prevent an anxiety or panic attack, they can at least give me a warning to prepare myself for the impending feeling of pins and needles in my fingertips and toes. I can start controlling my breathing before it is out of my hands.
Safe spaces are equally important--if not more. Society is constantly pressuring us into a mold whether we like/accept it or not. A safe space is an escape for that. For some people their safe space is their room, the internet, or a friend's house. Safe spaces will continue to exist regardless of a simple letter. The place you go to have peace with yourself is a safe space, whether you call it that or not. That is exactly what a safe space is. By saying you don't support safe spaces, you're basically saying that you don't want your students to feel comfortable on campus and should constantly be forced to believe/do anything even if they feel uncomfortable about it. That's like telling a lactose intolerant person to eat a tub of ice cream. If a person is triggered into a panic attack because you forced them to do something that they are well aware is an issue, they are not the ones at fault--you are. You took away their chance to breathe. You cut off their oxygen mid-breath.
Why am I bringing this back? Because somehow, just like everything else on the internet, we moved on. I thought for once we were having a legitimate discussion about mental health importance and it had even made news headlines. But no--we moved on. This is suddenly a thing of the past. I'm not going to lie--if I received a letter like that as a welcome to my home for the next four years, I would be seriously considering a new college. I have always considered the University of Chicago as a reputable school, but this has made me rethink that. School is already a difficult place for many people (including me) and pushing me even farther out of my comfort zone is not okay. Students pay thousands of dollars every year to get an education. For some people, this is the only place they can be comfortable--away from family stress, etc. The University of Chicago is taking that away in a welcome letter of all things. Isn't a welcome letter supposed to be welcoming?
