Safe Space

In the literature I have found a contrast between who is “safe” at different types of storytelling events. Festivals tend to keep the audience safe, and reality storytelling shows keep the teller safe. However, Randy’s comments suggest a different type of safety that is offered to audience members at Carapace, held at Manuel’s Tavern, a bar. He said that Manuel’s

is a place where

if it gets too uncomfortable

I can just leave and go in the other room and

have a drink at the bar

The audience members are not compelled to stay for the whole event, or even a whole story. They feel free to leave the room if needed. Randy went on to describe what he meant by calling Manuel’s a “safe space.”

it's a public place where

nothing can really go wrong

and you don't have to engage in anything if you don't want to

you can just get up and leave.

Perhaps it is inevitable that truly hearing another person’s stories will be a little uncomfortable. Randy said coming to Carapace makes you feel good.

Good in a way you

might never have thought would feel so good to

experience another person's subjectivity to that degree

and not either be scared

or repulsed

or

just uncomfortable and wanna leave.

We somewhat fear looking too much through another’s eyes, but it can be good. He says we do feel those things:

I'm sure all those things happen

to some degree

to some people.

But for the most part it's

hmmm

I just wanna hear more of this.

But the discomfort is worth it to hear the story.