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| Students protest the election of Donald Trump. |
After Donald Trump became the 2016 president elect, many students at universities across the nation protested the results of the election. This election has affected the environment at multiple universities, affecting both liberals and conservatives. Conservative Amanda Delekta, a student at the University of Michigan and political director of the College Republicans celebrated Trump's win, but was disappointed in her university. Delekta claims that the university president catered to the liberal majority, because he sent out an email publicizing a vigil in reaction to Trump's win, and listing counseling resources for students. Many conservative students at numerous universities believe believe that they need a "safe space", a term more often used by the left, because they feel their opinion is not respected. LiberalIbithal Makki, a student herself, stated that "“To turn around and say that they need safe spaces after their candidate won I think is ironic and hypocritical. ” She also believes that conservatives do not understand the need for safe spaces, "because they never needed it, because they don’t have any of the identities that made them feel that way.” Many conservative students across the country felt offended by many university' officials assuming that everyone on campus was unhappy by the election results. Many conservatives feel that they are being ostracized for their supporting of Trump, and many liberals feel that their civil liberties may be taken away under Trump's presidency at these colleges.
1. Do you believe that a "safe space" is needed for conservatives/Trump supporters, liberals, both, or none at all at college campuses?
2. What do you believe the future will look like in terms of political polarization/the ability to discuss politics at universities across the country?
3. What do you think will be needed to create unity at college campuses?
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/08/us/politics/political-divide-on-campuses-hardens-after-trumps-victory.html
I believe that there will be an increase in political polarization at universities across the country. Universities are home to thousands of students, and each one already has his/her own political ideology. This means that more and more people come in each year with what they believe, and this will be conflicting at every university. No one heard about the universities that were happy about the election, or the groups of people that were not against the outcome of the election. Instead the media just portrayed the riots against Trump. I believe that universities have to keep school going, even through what happened, because you can not stop the political polarization in universities, there are just too many people there.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think safe spaces are a lousy concept, especially on a college campus. Instead, colleges should implement programs that encourage political discussion, in a safe and open-minded atmosphere. The concept of safe spaces shelter our students and unrealistically prepare them for the real world.
ReplyDeleteI agree. If we truly had freedom of expression, there shouldn't be such a thing as a "safe space." I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, whatever ideology they hold. Programs that encourage political discussion are very important, similar to how we had a "walk-in" here at school and we were able to have a very mature conversation.
DeleteI do not feel as if safe spaces are needed for conservatives for liberals. There are plenty other ways to cope or react to the election, without the universities catering just to one side. Students should be allowed to voice their opinions on the election in a respectful manner without having to turn to school support for help. Is it inevitable that political beliefs will clash on campus, but that is how it is going to be in any environment.
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ReplyDeleteI do not think a safe space is necessary. I believe everyone is polarized and has their own party preference and as such trying to integrate a safe space into schools will not work. It is just a reality of living in America and college students should be able to express their opinions but a safe space shields students from what is happening. Their beliefs are going to conflict but it will everywhere, not just college.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katherine in that I don't think a safe space is necessary. Firstly, I think it is ironic that people who support a candidate who promotes so much hate and marginalization of minorities feel like they need a safe space to practice this hate for others. Secondly, I don't think supporters of a candidate should feel the need to shield themselves from the reactions of other citizens to that candidate. That characterizes an unwillingness to hear the opinions of others, which, ironically, mirrors many of Mr. Trump's actions as well. Lastly, allowing students to ignore opinions that oppose their own is very counterproductive to their educational development and shouldn't be present at an institution for higher learning.
ReplyDeleteIt may seem like safe spaces are necessary, but in reality, they are not. Students should be encouraged to share their opinions (politely) with those that have differing views so they can see the situation through another lens and become better educated on the various perspectives in the world. This, hopefully, will make political discussion more of a norm in college campuses, but party polarization will only increase since the ideas will be out in the open.
ReplyDeleteDespite dreams of creating a more conservative status quo, the fact that at least some college Republicans sympathize with and are willing to concede some of the demands of liberal students suggests that the ideas of the campus left are poised to only become more deeply entrenched. A Trump victory likely would not be enough to entirely change that. A Trump defeat, meanwhile, could leave college Republicans who voted for him and considered his candidacy a validation of their own political worldview feeling even more alienated on college campuses.
ReplyDeleteI do not think there is a problem with unity within college campuses. One of the best aspects of colleges is that they are a place for different views and ideas. I believe that it is a good thing that young college students are learning to express their opinions especially on a topic this large. There is no harm in having debates throughout a college campus, even if some students feel their opinion is not being respected.
ReplyDeleteSafe spaces are one of the worst things to ever have to American universities. The purpose of college is the exchange of ideas and meeting people from different backgrounds and ideologies. Safe spaces cause intellectual segregation and stop students from understanding people with opposing viewpoints. We need more calm debate on college campuses, not safe spaces and people attacking each other.
ReplyDeleteI think that as America as a whole continues to become more polarized, so will college campuses. We know that the environment and family influences from which these students come from largely shape their political identities, and as college students come from all over the country to one campus, the polarization between conservatism and liberalism will be brought to universities. How this will be dealt with, is less certain. Currently, I believe calm and open discussion of opposing ideas, though while should be embraced, is likely not to happen in the immediate future. At this point in time, the polarization is not just incredibly strong, but is fueled by great emotion on both sides following this election. As a result, until things begin to calm down regarding the recent results, it will be a lot easier said than done to create an atmosphere where all viewpoints can be discussed and voiced freely.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that there should necessarily be complete unity on college campuses. One of the great things about college is that students are at liberty to express their own beliefs. This not only helps expand our understanding of the world around us, but also allows for students to be able to express their own individuality and embrace who they are.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is completely possible to create unity on college campuses, simply because there are so many perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas being shared around. Those who feel they need safe spaces are simply blocking themselves from experiencing other ideas.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Safe spaces are completely and utter unnecessary. They are for people who are too weak and wussy to listen to and other people's opinions they don't want to agree with. If you want to unify the school, you can't have safe spaces. It discourages discussion and debate and that's what you need to do to unify the school.
ReplyDeleteStudents in college, no matter what their background or political ideology, neither deserve nor need safe spaces. The whole reason that you go to college is to expand your mind by going more into depth on subjects and by being exposed to new ideas and opinions. Safe spaces eliminate ideas that are different than yours, regardless of their merit or credibility, and are therefore detrimental to free speech. At a certain point, people need to realize that being open to new ideas and thick-skinned will get them much farther in life than complaining about and avoiding new ideas.
ReplyDeleteIn a society that prides itself on its diversity, it's difficult to create unity among such a variety of people. I don't believe it's necessary to create unity, because there are too many people and too many different ideas. Safe spaces as well are unnecessary, as it is simply prohibiting us from experiencing the diverse thought processes. Additionally, the real world does not have safe spaces, so it's pointless to grow accustomed to them in college.
ReplyDeleteI believe that safe spaces contradict the concept of college as a whole. College is designed to educate the youth, allowing them to bring new perspectives and understandings to the world, allowing them to better the future. To prevent this exposure would be to prevent these students from learning, and would thus do a poor job of preparing for the world and gaining new perspectives. If individuals are uncomfortable or incapable of dealing with the perspectives and viewpoints of others, college may not be the right place for them to be, however I see no reason why college should be required or expected to accommodate for this inability to take in the perspectives and beliefs of others.
ReplyDeleteI think "safe spaces" are needed for everyone on a college campus because everyone deserves to speak their mind and support whoever they want. Conservatives should not feel threatened at college campuses because they voted for Trump. There needs to be a sense of safety in the college community so people can speak their political mind freely.
ReplyDelete3. What do you think will be needed to create unity at college campuses? I don't think that unity is really necessary. I think that debate and differences in ideas is something that will always be prevalent, and there is no need to stop it. However, there does need to be something to increase understanding of the other side, as well as respect for others opinions.
ReplyDeleteI believe their is no need for any type of "safe space", but i do believe that students to have discussions about the election and speak their mind. People need to remember that they live in the US. So don't be offended by someone who has different political than you. I hope that political issues get better over time, but I highly doubt that due to the path we are headed on as a country. Which is a very divided and polarized nation. I think colleges need weekly discussions on political issues in a safe environment for all students.
ReplyDeleteSafe Spaces are completely unnecessary for both liberals and conservatives. No one on a college campus is put in serious danger because they are a liberal or conservative. The call by conservative students for safe spaces is just a reaction to liberal students calling for the same thing in previous years. While it may have been wrong for college officials to assume everyone was upset by Trump’s victory the call for safe spaces is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there should be safe spaces on college campuses because differing opinions have always been present. Instead, colleges should work to create a space where students can safely and civilly share their views and ideas. It is important for students to learn to accept other perspectives and speak out loud about their own.
ReplyDeleteDo you believe that a "safe space" is needed for conservatives/Trump supporters, liberals, both, or none at all at college campuses?
ReplyDeleteI believe safe spaces are unnecessary for Trump supporters and liberal supporters as there have always been disagreements between two groups of people in the past. Instead of creating safe spaces, colleges should focus more on creating a space where students can voice their opinions.