Free spaces

In the context of social movements, a free space is a location or environment where a group of like-minded people can discuss openly and freely without fear of repercussions.

Free spaces are important for social change and the birth of new ideas because it gives minorities a chance to organize and prepare for collective action without being observed by members of the dominant group.

This is important to give new movements sufficient time to develop and grow until they are strong enough to challenge and oppose the leading group or mentality.

In one of the final chapters of Switch, the authors argue that free spaces are often crucial to large change efforts.