BS: History, Safe Space, and Race

Subject: BS: History, Safe Space, and Race
From: robomatic
Date: 09 Dec 16 - 05:03 PM

I went to university way before the phrase "Safe Space" entered the collegiate lexicon. But not before the big subjects of race and the nascent beginnings of gay rights. We simply did not have ready intellectual slots to fit them into.

My University elected to make available to the ethnically identifiable the option of living in dormitories where they could be concentrated (Yes, the term 'concentration dorm' was used). My best friend was Chinese, and placed in the Asian Dorm. The Black Dorm was placed in one of the largest physical structures, a capacity far greater than the number of black students, and I was turfed into it as 'white filler'. If memory serves I was offered the opportunity opt out. I did not opt out, and spent two years there in the late 70s. There was of course a Hispanic Dorm, relocating from the one I moved into. I'll never forget the lesson in determining whether a racial insult needed to be responded to with force: "If they say 'xxxxxxx' and they're smiling, I smile back, but if they ain't smiling, I've gotta DO something about it!" one latino told me.*

This was in California which had a Black Panther component and a Black Nations of Islam component, as well as La Raza. NOI had a big bakery in Oakland and you could purchase their products on campus.

So I am mainly bemused by such entities as "Black Lives Matter", as I have seen, heard, and talked about a lot of these issues way, way before now. Did we just sleep through the Reagan Bush eras? Of course not, but the 'darkening' of the United States was seen decades ago. You could tell by the commercials on American TV and the rise of Bill Cosby (sigh).

Christian and Communist proselytizers come through the dorms not regularly, but the campus was pretty open.

There were Muslims of course, but Muslims aren't a race. And Islam is one of the three Abrahamic religions so I don't recall any issues other than Israel with Palestinians. Turks, Pakistanis, Iranians (pre-Ayatollah) were there but were pretty non-controversial.

I guess I might've used the term 'safe space' in one sense. An Israeli guy and an Egyptian girl hooking up because they could.

The main lesson was that no matter the size religion or color of the humanity, every single one of 'em had an individual personality and at least in my experience, didn't want to be considered part of a monolith.

And most of them, were, at some level, nuts. Like I said, the human condition.




*Reference The Virginian "When you call me that, smile!"

Subject: RE: BS: History, Safe Space, and Race
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Dec 16 - 09:46 PM

I guess the old post WWII text books calling America a melting pot were all burned by the time you went to grade school. Lotsa folks don't wanna be melted today but they do insist upon equal rights.



It is good to be honest about your experience but my first reaction was one of disappointment with crude tribalism. Nowadays when there are more white kids on one soccer team they chant USA USA at the more Hispanic team. Kids chant all sorts of racist crap more frequently recently.

Subject: RE: BS: History, Safe Space, and Race
From: robomatic
Date: 09 Dec 16 - 10:36 PM

I once shared a tent with a Boston lawyer who said:

"People call the U.S. a big melting pot. I prefer a big tossed salad!"

Don't forget the melting pot was to make everyone more like the majority, and singe off the things that made 'em special.

Subject: RE: BS: History, Safe Space, and Race
From: Mr Red
Date: 10 Dec 16 - 07:55 AM

a big melting pot. I prefer a big tossed salad!

On recent showing it is veering, at electoral college anyway, to:

"Tosspot"

Subject: RE: BS: History, Safe Space, and Race
From: robomatic
Date: 10 Dec 16 - 11:35 PM

Seriously

Subject: RE: BS: History, Safe Space, and Race
From: robomatic
Date: 13 Dec 16 - 01:09 PM

Less seriously

Subject: RE: BS: History, Safe Space, and Race
From: Donuel
Date: 13 Dec 16 - 02:54 PM

This trend for trigger alerts and the need to not be exposed to anything the kids declare they do not want to know is a critical loss of education but safe space is just plain silly as an ostrich.

Subject: RE: BS: History, Safe Space, and Race
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Dec 16 - 11:06 PM

Ain't no such thing as "safe space" anymore than there is something called "security."

Subject: RE: BS: History, Safe Space, and Race
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Dec 16 - 04:06 PM

Well ;*/   The safe space idea is fundamentally part of the alt right free speech argument that people should not speak out against TRUMP and that progressives be eliminated from Universities and High Schools.
"there is way to many progressives teaching" Fox contributors claim.

I did not tease out this interpretation from Robo but it is being used by the alt right.

South Africa associated safe space mostly with Race.

Less seriously: In Ehniclashistan everyone agrees everyone should move someplace else.

Subject: RE: BS: History, Safe Space, and Race
From: robomatic
Date: 14 Dec 16 - 04:58 PM

According to Gilbert & Sullivan:

"When Everyone is Somebody, then No one's Anybody!"