I can’t take it-
I don’t understand it.
How come every time in a group setting, or workshop on race relations/diversity
Not always but a lot times
Some white woman/person will put in the group agreements the term
SAFE SPACE- S-A-F-E >space. That implies that there are spaces that are unsafe.
Congolese women in the Congo are constantly looking for a SAFE Space.
Why do you get to feel SAFE?
Safe to me from WHITE FOLK
• Is the void of conflict. Conflict is the bases of all drama,Theatre 101.
You can’t have a GOOD JUICY STORY WITH OUT CONFLICT
The News - conflict. Reality Shows - Conflict. This poem right about now - CONFLICT!!!
SAFE.
Why do you get to feel safe? - We don’t -
Safe for white folk
• Is the absence of pressure or stress.
Without pressure tires are flat.
Without stress - Rope won’t tie things together.
SAFE.
Did those 2 police officers feel safe in the comfort of their patrol car on that tragic day in November?
Did Emmitt Till feel safe when his final choice was a fatal choice cause he decided to whistle.
Why do you get to feel safe - they ~ didn’t?
SAFE – SAFE – SAFE!
News flash: Last time I checked SAFE was not a feeling. It’s an adjective meaning free from harm or risk.
Did Travon Martin feel safe as he was walking home in a hoody minding his own business in a “good” neighborhood” from the corner store? With a pack of skittles and a Lipton ice tea still in his hands. Safe. When Jackie Robinson would hit that line drive and run from 1st - to 2nd - to 3rd base and sliiiide into home plate and the empire would say - “SAAAFFE” Is that what you wanna feel ~ then go to Camden Yards!
(You do realize Jackie stole those bases, right. (Not earned))
Why do you get to feel safe - WE CAN’T!!!
Safe is a privilege, a luxury.
Safe is a given - to some.
Why do you get to feel Safe?
Why do you get to feel?
Why, do you –
Get?
All I know is every time you don’t feel “safe” - someone ends up dead!
- (SAFE) - (arm gestures are in an empire stance - silent)

Sheila Gaskins