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NIU Exhibit Asks Campus Community To Consider Their Safe Spaces

Jenna Dooley

In higher education, "safe spaces" are places where people can feel open to express themselves. Northern Illinois University's Center for the Study of Women, Gender & Sexuality describes such an environment as a place "without fear of being violated, harassed or judged, no matter their gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, economic class, citizenship status, or disability."

Due to outbreaks of violence across the country, project organizers of the "Safe/Unsafe"exhibit say there are many people who no longer feel secure even in spaces that they once thought of as safe. They cite LGBTQ+ people in gay bars, black people in their own cars, or women walking in their own neighborhoods.

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Kristen Myers describes the idea behind the project

Those who are interested in participating can submit two photographs (also including but not limited to painting, video, illustration, etc.) They should include one that reflects a space where the person feels safe, and one that reflects a space where they feel fearful, harassed, or disrespected. Project organizers also ask that participants submit a brief statement explaining why the images reflect their safe space and unsafe space.

Credit Jenna Dooley

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Kristen Myers talks about the reflection component of the project

The Center asks participants to consider:

  • Who controls the space? In what ways do the people/person who control the space have and exert their power and privilege? How do they use their power and privilege to control the space?
  • What is your experience of power in the space?
  • What role do social norms regarding gender roles play in how you experience the space?
  • Does changing your behavior or expectations affect your relationship to power, privilege and control in the space?
  • Do you have any unconscious biases that cause you to negatively impact how others experience spaces that you are in?

Images must be submitted byMonday, November 28, 2016. The exhibit is expected to be ready by next semester.

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Jenna Dooley has spent her professional career in public radio. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and the Public Affairs Reporting Program at the University of Illinois - Springfield. She returned to Northern Public Radio in DeKalb after several years hosting Morning Edition at WUIS-FM in Springfield. She is a former "Newsfinder of the Year" from the Illinois Associated Press and recipient of NIU's Donald R. Grubb Journalism Alumni Award. She is an active member of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association and an adjunct instructor at NIU.