The Safe Space Task Force has a good intention, but an unclear message. The Task Force’s first step towards their goal of making St. Paul Academy and Summit School a more inclusive and welcoming place for the community provoked confusion and anxiety among students.

First, a slideshow presentation focusing on a topic they call “Brave Conversations” informed freshmen about potential ways to intervene in conversation containing a potentially offensive joke or comment. They performed skits in which somebody would say something “offensive”, then asked students to volunteer to correct the conversation to be less disrespectful. The skits presented interesting scenarios, but many freshman found it difficult to determine which side they were supposed to support. If what is supposed to be offensive to is so obscure that students cannot even understand what it is, then maybe people are taking this sensitivity stuff a bit too far.

Encouraging students to be aware of how their words may sound different in somebody else’s ears is a good thing. However, telling kids that dressing up as their favorite character for Halloween is racist, or turning innocent questions regarding a friend’s spring break plans into something rude seems to be crossing the line. Living in a society where one cannot say or do anything without somebody taking offense is upsetting. Constantly contriving casual comments to be hurtful can create an even more uncomfortable environment for everybody.

The intent of the Safe Space Task Force session may have been to teach students how to speak up and intervene, but often it felt students were asked to take offense at things they didn’t find offensive. When society begins to take offense to everything, the goal of living a happy and confident life is compromised. People shouldn’t just go around and say whatever disrespectful comment they want without any care about others feelings, but distorting random actions into something offensive doesn’t seem like a very productive use of time and it probably does more harm than good.

There is no way everybody is going to feel completely safe all of the time. Learning to accept that fact, rather than learning to find the offensive side of every comment, most likely will help students succeed. The Safe Space Task Force should focus more on discouraging intentionally insulting comments and less about interpreting unintentionally harmful or casual things into something that should be taken as offensive. More clarity about what can be considered offensive may also help the problem of students feeling as though they shouldn’t say anything at all to avoid hurting somebody’s feelings.