Safe(r) vs. brave vs. accountable spaces
by Tyne Johnson-Dhillon
Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt comfortable, or maybe a bit on edge? The kind of space we’re in can deeply affect how we interact with others.
This is why it matters how we bring people together. The importance of inclusive and equitable gathering styles has been a hot topic for a while now. Some examples include safe(r), brave or accountable spaces. While some might use these interchangeably, each term can describe a unique environment that influences how we engage with one another in a group setting.
So, what do each of these terms really mean, and how can we be intentional when we are part of bringing people together?
Here’s a breakdown of some characteristics of these three types of spaces.
What are safe(r) spaces?
Safe(r) spaces are designed to allow everyone to feel welcome, respected and heard. They are like the bread and butter of how we might imagine an environment that aims to minimize harm. That said, "safety" is complex and it is an active practice. Ensuring all people feel equally safe is challenging. These spaces aim to be trauma-informed and welcoming to marginalized voices. But here's the catch — true safety cannot always be guaranteed. This is why they tend to be called safe(r) instead of safe spaces, since promising a safe environment for everyone at all times is unrealistic.
Some characteristics of safe(r) spaces
Strive to be anti-oppressive and inclusive: Safe(r) spaces are meant to challenge oppressive dynamics and create a welcoming environment for all people.
Trauma-informed approach: They consider peoples' past exposure to dangerous experiences and aim to minimize harm.
Safety cannot be guaranteed: Despite best efforts, no space can be entirely safe for everyone at all times.
Requires active participation: The success of the space depends on everyone’s conscious commitment to challenge their biases and upholding principles of safety.
What are brave spaces?
Brave spaces emphasize courage and encourage folks to be their vulnerable, authentic selves. People are asked to step outside their comfort zones and engage in difficult conversations that give rise to growth and learning. Brave spaces can also often center the journeys of privileged people. People who experience systemic forms of oppression may bear the burden of educating others or defending their lived experiences. These spaces may ignore that marginalized people are brave all day everyday in the face of systemic oppression.
Some characteristics of brave spaces
Celebrates vulnerability: Brave spaces promote openness and honesty, and asks people to be vulnerable and step into discomfort.
Focuses on learning and growth: The aim is to challenge existing beliefs and cultivate forward movement through dialogue.
Centers privileged people: These spaces can sometimes focus on the learning of privileged individuals rather than the experiences of marginalized individuals.
Allows for "devil’s advocate" positions: Brave spaces may open the door for folks to take oppositional or provocative stances, which may derail conversations or cause harm.
What are accountable spaces?
This understanding of accountable spaces is influenced by Elise Ahenkorah, and I strongly encourage you to read more from her perspective here.
Accountable spaces set clear expectations and bring about a shared responsibility among everyone in the room. In accountable spaces, it’s not just about feeling safe or being brave. It’s about continuous effort to uphold the values and practices that make the space thrive. Here, allyship and solidarity become actions and co-conspiring begins. Folks follow shared expectations that promote responsibility for how their actions impact others, and they are encouraged to collaborate actively, both in the moment and beyond.
Rather than relying on the emotional labour of marginalized people, this space centres collective commitments and outlines how everyone’s actions will come together with empathy and intention.
Some characteristics of accountable spaces
Guided by shared expectations: Everyone agrees on a set of guidelines or norms to follow during discussions that emphasize care and personal accountability.
Requires mindfulness: People are called on to practice allyship in real time by being intentional with their actions and words.
Prioritizes solidarity and co-conspiring: The focus is on working together toward collective, equitable goals.
Proactive processes for accountability: There are defined measures for addressing potential conflicts before they escalate to minimize harm.
“Accountable space guidelines allow allies and marginalized communities to agree on a set of actionable behaviours/actions during the discussion to show allyship in real-time and after the event.”
— Elise Ahenkorah
There is no one perfect definition of how we ought to bring folks together because spaces are fluid and dynamic — just like the people in them. Each of the spaces described here have a purpose. What works for one group might differ dramatically from what works for another. As we are bringing people together, whatever the situation may be, it is important to remain thoughtful and intentional about how we do so.
It makes sense that different approaches will apply depending on what the space and those within it call for. When we talk about allyship, accountability and shared responsibility, it’s important to understand that this isn’t just about what we say in these spaces — it’s about what we do together.
By getting clear on what is needed to create meaningful experiences for all, the spaces we help make can spark a positive legacy of community care and meaningful transformations.
To go deeper into this and related conversations, I invite you to join us for Making Space. This community building program shares essential lessons and tools for impactful group experiences with today’s challenges in mind. Join us for one of our upcoming sessions and be part of a transformative learning journey.