I hadn't read the "Not a Daycare" piece until just now, but had seen the discussion happening via facebook. I saw someone argue that the president was silencing the student, but upon first read, I don't think that is what I got from the piece; I feel like it was more of him saying that student's need to reframe their approaches and perspectives. I think the president was addressing what many of us see in higher education working with students from privileged backgrounds. Students won't learn if they are in their safe spaces and need to be challenged to be able to grow.

Thanks Ellen! I agree that students need to be challenged to expand their perspectives. The issue seems to be that it's become more difficult to find ways to make spaces safe enough for students to engage different and/or difficult material in a respectful and meaningful matter, but not "too" safe in that the discussions are watered down so that no one has to confront deeply held beliefs that will indeed cause discomfort and disorientation when challenged. I applaud instructors who venture into that territory!

There are truths in both of these writings. Each of them illustrate their point of view based on their definition of the situation. Their views, philosophy, and framing of issues are created from their life experiences--or social context. Further, their experiences are viewed through their own racial, religious, gendered, and social class lenses. So who is right? Both of them in their own way. I know this sounds wishy-washy, but it's true; Piper and Madyun say something of relevance, whether it's about one's own sense of victimization and persecution, and guilt, or whether to take the approach of supportiveness and caring in understanding the local, national, and global events hitting us today. It is messy; the violence has become brutal; the explanations for our social climate today are not so easily understood by all. Our viewpoints as a nation have been so polarized that we fail even to see how we are constructed from the national sentiment. It's time to think and act humbly and courageously about what it takes to be a part of society today.

Thank you, Wendy! Courageous, humble, and thoughtful action is always to be encouraged.