2 ms·

I also tried to find information on the activists demanding segregated housing. I didn't find anything about campus activists in Missouri demanding black-only

by nkurz 10y ago

I also tried to find information on the activists demanding segregated housing. I didn't find anything about campus activists in Missouri demanding black-only dorms, but searching for "black-only healing spaces" gives lots results arguing the need for exclusion based on race. Here's a sympathetic explanation by a self-described Chicano journalist: http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/black-activists-are-asking-for-black-only-spaces-heres-why-we-should-respect-that-20151218 http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/black-activists-are-... The University of Connecticut, though, has proposed a black-only dorm, although they claim it is not "segregated" because participation is optional. According to Dr. Erik Hines, Faculty Director for the initiative: It is a space for African American men to, one, come together, and validate their experiences that they may have on campus," he explained. "Number two, it's also a space where they can have conversation and also talk with individuals who come from the same background who share the same experience." The specialized housing does not—quite—constitute a "segregated" residence, as it is currently optional, much like the "affinity housing" that other schools have put in place to serve as a "safe space" for minority students." I don't know the current status of the proposal, although I'd always presumed that segregation was defined more by racial exclusion than forced participation: http://www.campusreform.org/?ID=7228 http://www.campusreform.org/?ID=7228

vertex-four 10y ago
I would generally agree with the need for safe spaces - defined as groups of people of a certain characteristic coming together to rant a bit about their problems without fear of retaliation, and the ability to be heard without being spoken over by people trying to be "helpful" but generally not understanding - though permanent segregated physical spaces is utterly ridiculous. Luckily, my particular communities don't put me in contact with people arguing for segregation very often. A quick poll of mine suggests that all who responded would strongly disagree with the idea of "optional" segregation (as it very rarely actually turns out to be optional due to the power structures involved). And we're radical anarcho-socialists to a large extent.

by nkurz 10y ago

vertex-four 10y ago

I would generally agree with the need for safe spaces - defined as groups of people of a certain characteristic coming together to rant a bit about their problems without fear of retaliation, and the ability to be heard without being spoken over by people trying to be "helpful" but generally not understanding - though permanent segregated physical spaces is utterly ridiculous. Luckily, my particular communities don't put me in contact with people arguing for segregation very often. A quick poll of mine suggests that all who responded would strongly disagree with the idea of "optional" segregation (as it very rarely actually turns out to be optional due to the power structures involved). And we're radical anarcho-socialists to a large extent.