Before the start of the 2016 fall semester, the dean of undergraduate students at the University of Chicago released a letter to incoming freshman, telling them that the university “would not condone ‘the creation of intellectual 'safe spaces ' where individuals can retreat from ideas and perspectives at odds with their own’” (Brown and Mangan). The letter started a debate among many people over whether or not safe spaces were helpful. In English 131, the topic of safe spaces should be covered because it is a current issue that is being debated in colleges today and students should know what problems are facing other college students and could potentially be a problem for them. There are many different perspectives that people have on the
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This is a popular source because the article came from the Washington Post and on the website, there are ads, pictures, videos, etc. and these attract a general audience. Also, the article does not use any specialized language and scholarly sources usually contained specialized language targeted at a certain group of people. Another reason this is a popular source is because there are no citations or references listed. Paxson raises different main points in order to support her argument. One of the main points Paxson raises is that freedom of expression is important and that it is “an essential component of academic freedom.” Paxson writes that a university could not run without freedom of expression and “suppressing ideas at a university is akin to turning off the power at a factory.” Another main point she raises is that the term “safe spaces” is “used in so many different ways that it is impossible to discuss it without being precise about its meaning” (Paxson). She then writes about the historical meaning of safe spaces. Paxson also raises the point that “safe spaces are seen in the choices our students make every day” and that a safe space can be as simple as “students finding opportunities through clubs and organizations to meet those who share similar backgrounds and interests - religious, political and otherwise.” Paxson is in support of safe spaces if they are defined as a “place where students from marginalized groups can come together to feel
This is a popular source because the article came from the Washington Post and on the website, there are ads, pictures, videos, etc. and these attract a general audience. Also, the article does not use any specialized language and scholarly sources usually contained specialized language targeted at a certain group of people. Another reason this is a popular source is because there are no citations or references listed. Paxson raises different main points in order to support her argument. One of the main points Paxson raises is that freedom of expression is important and that it is “an essential component of academic freedom.” Paxson writes that a university could not run without freedom of expression and “suppressing ideas at a university is akin to turning off the power at a factory.” Another main point she raises is that the term “safe spaces” is “used in so many different ways that it is impossible to discuss it without being precise about its meaning” (Paxson). She then writes about the historical meaning of safe spaces. Paxson also raises the point that “safe spaces are seen in the choices our students make every day” and that a safe space can be as simple as “students finding opportunities through clubs and organizations to meet those who share similar backgrounds and interests - religious, political and otherwise.” Paxson is in support of safe spaces if they are defined as a “place where students from marginalized groups can come together to feel