Sophia Burns
Jul 7, 2021

Right. I think I did paint with a bit too broad of a brush, classifying all self-declared "safe spaces" together. I think you're right that occasionally, people succeed in creating one that doesn't have that atmosphere of walking on eggshells and fearing each other, but I do think the point stands that 1) unfortunately, many, perhaps most, designated "safe spaces" do end up with that negative atmosphere and 2) there's no formula or protocol that you can rely on to guarantee a good outcome. But I think you're right that emphasizing openness and kindness is a good start. I just worry that that's undermined by the implicit assumption that without privilege and oppression at work, there wouldn't be interpersonal friction or political disagreement, you know?

Sophia Burns
Sophia Burns

Written by Sophia Burns

Paganism, Buddhism, Classics, philosophy, LGBTQ culture, and the art of living well. Former activist; I don’t trust culture war. http://patreon.com/sophiaburns

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