“Safe Space”–A geographical location where one is free from people, words, ideas, situations, etc. with which one disagrees. Over the past several years we who live in the real world where one must deal with whatever comes one’s way, have noted with amazement that many university students have reverted to child-like behavior and are demanding to be treated as spoiled children. I recently heard of what I hope is a rarity within the “Safe Space Movement.” It seems that a particular state university has installed small booths, complete with stuffed animals, where students suffering from final exam stress can temporarily escape the horror the real world where one must prove himself worthy of a passing grade. These booths are reportedly called “Cry Closets.”

Other institutions have taken the Safe Space Movement to even higher levels in their never-ending quest to protect their maturational midgets from the real world where one is confronted by people, things, ideas, ideologies, words, clothing, etc. which will force them out of the warm, cuddly world mommy, daddy and their educational institutions have provided for them. Many are postponing their venture into that dreaded world until their late 20’s. Many administrators of these so-called institutions of higher learning have designated entire sections of their campuses as Safe Zones where only certain types of speech, dress, political preference, social ideologies, etc. are allowed. Rules governing who can enter these areas and what can be said, believed, worn, etc. within them are strictly enforced by campus security personnel. All offenders are ushered out of the no-offense zones using whatever force necessary.

Then there are the  “No Offense Institutions” (my term) where the entire campus is surrounded by an invisible group-think fence. One who disagrees with the prevailing mind-set can enter, but at one’s peril. Such an offensive minion must understand that a wrong word will identify him as an enemy of the those who know, speak and write the “right” way which, by the way, is decidedly “left” politically, socially, etc. Occasionally, thinking students on these campuses (yes, there some) invite a speaker to address them inside a building on the campus where only the invitees will hear them. From the treatment these intruders receive from the natives one would think they are carrying the Ebola virus. When Ben Shapiro, a conservative literary, t.v. and radio commentator was invited to speak to a conservative group on a university campus the administration spent $600,000 to assure that he would not be harmed by the local intelligencia. Ann Coulter, another famous conservative, was “disinvited” to speak on another campus. Incredibly, those who prevent conservative speakers from addressing an audience identify themselves as members of the “Free Speech Movement.” Apparently, one is free to speak only if one says what the Free Speechers want to hear. Alas, these people are not alone. There are others who hide inside their Safe Spaces where “… never is heard a discouraging word, and the (ideological) skies are not cloudy (from reality) all day.” Pardon my take-off on the Western song titled “Home on the Range.” Being a Texan, and considering the subjects involved, I just couldn’t resist. L.J.