It’s about “Safe Space”
By Sam Frescoe,
Veteran’s Recall
http://veterans-recall.blogspot.com/
I just don’t get it, Mizzou.
Someone explain to me, as if I were three years old, the “so what” of the
Mizzou uprising. Given what I see in the media, I am just not able to get my
mind around the higher purpose of the event. Personally, my leading question is
this: how is this not the mob seeking to consolidate new political power
through some form of legitimacy? After two weeks of mulling this over and
trying to boil it down to a driving cause, I have come to a conclusion…it’s
about “safe space”.
When I set aside the demands and
rhetoric, and focus on the behavior of those that started and continue to
sustain this thing, I see the following.
On/Near 10-12 Nov 2015, multiple people
occupied a quad area on the Mizzou campus to establish a “safe space”.
On/Near 10-11 Nov 2015, Mizzou
students and faculty barred entry to the MU quad area for journalists
attempting to document the event in order to protect their “safe space”.
Since then amateur videos and professional news organizations
have shown the common presence and unconditional power of a “safe space.” I
hear sound bites (as if this thing can be reduced to a sound bite) about
“giving them their safe space so they can heal” or “you have no right to be in
my safe space” or “your safe space better not violate my safe space” and on and
on.
Progressive rationale mixed with sarcasm
for the sake of making a point
It can’t be the primary actors
causing all of this…right? In the instances stated above the primary actors don’t
seem to be strangely out of place. They all seem local to the event and may
even have a stake in its outcome. I observed by video, and read in articles, Mizzou
students (mentioned repeatedly by the media in general terms), Mizzou faculty (mentioned
repeatedly by the media until Melissa Click was specifically identified), and a
small group that are collectively referred to as Concerned Student 1950
(identified as an activist group) are routinely involved. They certainly aren’t
to blame. Even the President of the United States has endorsed the actors.
Perhaps the effects of the
uprising are to blame? Some of the effects of this event include the forced shutdown
of free traffic on campus, cancellation of classes, malicious false witnessing
of others, across the board interruption of “paid for” education opportunities,
disturbing of the peace, and abuse of limited law enforcement resources.
Additionally, we’ve seen blatant violations of personal and public property,
willful disregard of the First Amendment, and general disregard for authority,
rule of law, and due process. There are other items of interest, many have been
brought to my attention, but these are the ones I initially noticed. But,
regardless of what any reasonable person in authority my think, these
infractions are not a problem brought about by the behavior of the actors. No.
Certainly not them as they are simply expressions of concerned activists. The
root cause has to be something else, something that makes all of this ongoing
fuss worth it.
Perhaps it’s to solve a problem,
say…racism? Personally, I doubt it. Given the list of demands (not allegations
of unfair treatment under the law, not specific claims of discrimination by
those in power, not infractions of civil rights on behalf of American citizens,
not violations of procedure by law enforcement…but demands of the mob) it seems
clear that the activists want to eliminate one brand of racism by replacing it with
their own brand of racism. Regardless of what anyone that is capable of
rational thought based on a high school understanding of the English language
may dare to say, it is just not possible to have one group of people attempt to
subjugate another group to realize their own ends. Nope! Not in America. The
reason for this madness must be something else.
So what is actually driving the
mob and its madness…it must be the “safe spaces.”
Understanding “Safe Space” at Mizzou
According to the University of
Missouri, Department of Student Life, LGBTQ Resource Center, “safe
space” is a requested object (a noun) with two definitions. First, “safe space”
is “a training designed to give you the tools and knowledge you need to be an
effective ally for LGBTQ and ally students, staff and faculty.” Second, “safe
space” is “a program meant to teach the basics of LGBTQ identities and culture
through definitions, terminology, and an overview of current cultural, social,
and political issues, activities, and plenty of time for question and answer.”
According to Advocates
of Youth (a nation-wide activist organization) a “safe space” is taken a step further. A "safe space" is “a place
where anyone can relax and be fully self-expressed, without fear of being made
to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome or unsafe on account of biological sex,
race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural
background, age, or physical or mental ability; a place where the rules guard
each person's self-respect and dignity and strongly encourage everyone to agree
with others.”
Perhaps the whole of Mizzou,
having put their heads where the sun never (ever) shines, was misinformed about
“safe space.” As you can plainly see, “safe space” is about building a base of
sexually dysfunctional political activists with racial leanings, not for
providing a land area devoid of American rights, moral character, and civil
conduct. Yet, authorities do nothing and the mob continues.
What’s Left?
It must be the “safe space”
causing all of this unrest and upheaval. After all, if these events were caused
by willfully ignorant and corrupt people, having used their own free-will to initiate
force against others without cause, then they would be breaking the law and
made to stop. However, by admission of non-action, we know this to be
untrue. Fortunately, for those not directly
impacted, it’s only the hijacking of a queer-comfort meeting for use as an
excuse to further a racial temper tantrum. There’s nothing to see here.
Why does this nonsense make no
sense? Because it’s coercive, ridiculous, absurd, and profane…it’s C.R.A.P.
Back to Reality
The underlying rationale for the
uprising is not difficult to understand. This is not to say that the reasons,
history, and actors are simplistic. It’s likely to be the exact opposite.
However, the underpinning remains.
In my opinion, the uprising is a
result of a people group (black students are the loudest so far) deciding that
what was once sufferable is no longer worth being suffered. I propose that the
way forward is best served by clearing stating “sufferings,” factually articulating
the history of those “sufferings,” and presenting solutions that are aligned
with American values and our highest ideals. Along the way, all actors (regardless
of specific interests) must guard against the desire to oppress (coerce,
dominate, harass, silence, etc.) others in an effort to elevate themselves. I fear that failing to do this, will
empower today’s oppressed to become tomorrow’s oppressors.
It’s
time for judging merits and weighing harms.
As a starting point, let’s agree
to satisfy the following conditions. First, loyalty to American (all inclusive)
values and ideals must hold the default position. Second, all actors must do
their duty, their complete duty, in a steadfast and honorable manner. Third, (and
most difficult) all actors must work, speak, hear, debate, and resolve in a
manner that is knowledge-based, logical, upright, and principled.
Back to Basics
America values justice for all, not “just us” for some. If the
ideal end-state is the elimination of racial practices at Mizzou, then there is
no substitute for holding wrong-doers accountable for their wrong-doing. In the
United States, the civil rights of each and every individual citizen is well
established. If there are “systems of oppression” at Mizzou, then it stands to
reason that there is at least one court case that can be brought to the bar.
However, as I review the demands, it is clear that justice is not a priority. If wrong-doing was committed by those in
power, then nothing good will come from allowing those wrongs to go without
redress. If the “systems of oppression” claim is true, then nothing will be solved
by replacing one racially flawed system with another racially prescribed
system.
America values equal opportunity, not equal outcomes. For all of
those that say “those students have the right to protest” I am willing to
answer that with “those remaining students have the right to attend their
classes.” During the past two weeks I heard and read the narrative (however
it’s presented) of equal outcomes. Some people have taken the bait and followed
that path to its natural end. For example, while I was standing in line at the
sandwich shop I overheard an individual state the following, “As long as no one
has to attend class or be punished with a bad test score, then I don’t see a
problem.” Even as I recall this I am about to pull out what’s left of my hair.
It’s madness to legitimize someone initiating force upon another person because
there is a common outcome shared by both. It’s no different than saying it’s
okay to destroy your neighbor’s property because neither you nor your neighbor
will have use of that property anymore. If this line of thinking is followed,
then conflicts will never end. This is not the application of objective truths
(which causes convergence); it’s the application of subjective feelings (which causes
divergence). This is not a vision of personal liberty in a freedom loving
society; it’s a prescription for anarchy.
America values doing what is good, not doing what feels good. In
this case, doing what is good means, realizing for all Mizzou students the
ideals of unity, justice, stewardship, charity, liberty, and opportunity.
Whereas, doing what feels good means forcing uniformity, allowing neglect, mandating
welfare, promoting intellectual captivity, and celebrating outcomes favorable
to a specific group by subordinating others. It is stupid to believe that
sacrificing the individual at the altar of the collective will produce anything
other than conflict.
Going Forward
The answer to this mess is found
throughout American history and its heritage. The answer was understood to be so
powerful and fundamental to the American way of life and its future that is was
captured and codified long ago and made integral to the American identity. Please
open your Constitution. I invite you to turn to Article-2 and the First
Amendment.
In Article-2, it clearly states
that the President has a duty to “take care that the laws be faithfully
executed.” In the case of Mizzou, if it can be shown that students were harmed
by the racially motivated wrong-doing of others as defined by the Civil Rights
Act as amended, then the President is obligated to intervene on behave of those
wronged. This means that the Mizzou mob is responsible for expressing their
grievances according to the law, and that the President is responsible for
upholding that law.
The First Amendment clearly
states that Congress shall make no law…abridging…the “right of the people
peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of
grievances.” This means that Congress shall make no law…abridging…the right of
the people, without disturbance, to meet or come together and to make a formal
request (usually in writing) to the government for a relief or compensation for
specific wrongs or injuries of conditions that cause harm or distress (usually
expressed in formal complaints). This means that the Mizzou mob is responsible
for expressing their grievances in a lawful manner, and that the Congress is
responsible for ensuring those students have an opportunity to express their
grievances in a lawful manner.
At no time has it been long
accepted that “safe space” represented the American ideal. Throughout American
history, citizens have made strides to eliminate ownership of people, reduce inequality
under the law, and other “safe space” fabricated by society. Each time it was
about removing barriers versus establishing barriers. I see no benefit in
embracing a new way.
The American way is the best
way…when we choose to follow it.
Your View
I invite you to tell me what you
believe at samfrescoe@gmail.com or by
leaving a comment below. I am looking forward to addressing your comments and
furthering our American discourse. Thank you. – Sam Frescoe
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