Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is a "safe place"?

Grapeban · 2012-06-18T16:56:52+00:00

There are generally two types of spaces on reddit.

Free speech spaces, where there is little moderation and people are relatively free to say what they want (though spam and really obscene stuff will still probably be taken away).

Safe spaces, moderation is heavy, it's designed to create an area where people of certain can groups can talk among themselves without having to deal with people from outside the group. For example, sometimes depressed people may want to just talk about their issues with other clinically depressed people without having to educate or argue with others.

Lawtonfogle · 2012-06-19T00:59:28+00:00

There are really two different notions of a safe place.

A place without triggers.
A place where no one will criticize you.

While they both may sound good at first, I dare say that only the first 1 is actually of any value. There are minorities out there that have had enough reason to fear for their safety (for example a trans-gender individual who was attacked), that they want places online they can go where no one will attack them for being transgendered. This is a good idea.

But there are also people who don't like being questioned and would rather pretend they are right in their opinions by only talking to people who think like they do. This is a bad idea.

Demonspawn · 2012-06-18T16:32:24+00:00

Safe Place: A forum/reddit/whatever where you will not hear dissenting opinions.

Basically, a place to foster batshit-crazy insane ideas because they haven't faced any critical challenge.

rightsbot · 2012-06-18T16:28:17+00:00

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bucketh3ad · 2012-06-18T23:10:15+00:00

I see a "safe space", at least in theory, as a place where issues outside of the mainstream can be brought up and addressed free of personal, critical judgement. Female examples are plentiful, as they are women's centers on college campuses and in government buildings all over for women to discuss issues they don't find addressed in mainstream thought. Men's examples could be a support group for male victims of female sexual assault, anti-circumcision advocates group, gender/sexuality discussions between men, or various other venues accepting of a spectrum of men and masculinity, not just traditional definitions.

I don't think "safe" is necessarily the best term, but it's the one being employed so I don't see any harm in continuing to use it as long as we understand that the safety does not imply an echo chamber of support, only that your ideas will be under scrutiny rather than your character and identity.

Just my 2¢

a_weed_wizard · 2012-06-18T20:56:51+00:00

The concept is largely Orwellian newspeak for what is really a totalitarian echo chamber.

PeterArching · 2012-06-18T16:50:25+00:00

A place where you can bash men without fear of censorship or rebuke.

InfinitelyThirsting · 2012-06-18T23:43:59+00:00

I think you mean "Safe Space," as is commonly described.

The term is a misnomer. I its used to describe a place created to be free from criticism, to be free from justification, to be an echo chamber, and to silence dissenting voices.

The truth does not need to be censored, nor does it need to be dealt out in moderation. It should be free to be discovered, or to be vanquished to the rubbish bin of history, if it cannot stand up to inquisition.

Any place called "a safe space," is meant to silence opposition.

pcarvious · 2012-06-19T00:34:30+00:00

A safe space is a place where a person can come and share their viewpoints on a common subject without fear of being attacked for their beliefs. Depending on who is actually in charge of the safe space this can mean no dissenting opinions. It can also mean that certain viewpoints are excluded or certain voices marginalized in favor of others.

In a female safe space, for example, the voice of men in regards to important issues is not as valued. In a feminist safe space voices that aren't speaking from the feminist perspective may be ignored. In a strictly male safe space the opinion of women is not as heavily valued and so on.

Safe spaces are usually meant to be a place where people of a group can meet and discuss their own group without fear of reprisal from other groups. How inclusive or exclusive these groups are varies. They also tend to focus on a specific demographic.

2012-06-19T02:41:24+00:00

Safe spaces are generaly used by minority communities that have had experiences that others may not understand. Because members share similar experiences, there is a mutual respect and understanding. There are certain stances that most members take as a given (patriarchy - feminist, pro gay marriage - LGBT, anti circumcision - mens rights).

no1elsehasthisname · 2012-06-19T04:31:49+00:00

My personal definition seems to differ a bit from everyone else who has posted so far.

I see it as a place where one can recharge. After I've been debating for a while I get exhausted and irritable. That's when I come here to read more stuff from this subreddit and get back to feeling like myself again.

evenlesstolose · 2012-06-19T14:27:19+00:00

"Safe space" is usually applicable for those with trauma, and post-traumatic stress. Someone who has a panic attack every time they experience certain triggers (physical touch, loud voices, rape "jokes", etc) will often be advised to seek out a "safe space" where those around them (physically or otherwise) are aware of these issues and will take proper precautions. For example, a classic safe space would be a group therapy program. There's a center in my area for male victims of abuse, and they have rules like no touching, no loud voices, no mentions of sex or sexual violence unless under safe conditions, etc etc. It's male only, because many of these men have been abused by women. Though the majority have been abused by a male partner or family member, so in this instance women are kept out for privacy/identity reasons.

This thread seems to be totally misunderstanding why some people need safe spaces.

Title	Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is a "safe place"?
Author	Elonine
Upvotes	15
Comments	36
Date	June 18, 2012 4:27 PM UTC (14 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/v8a1k/forgive_my_ignorance_but_what_exactly_is_a_safe/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/forgive-my-ignorance-but-what-exactly-is-a-safe.1019523 https://theredarchive.com/post/1019523

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