Trigger Warnings

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Trigger Warnings in Schools Trigger warnings are labels made to alert people to the content of a movie or book that it brings up something that could cause trauma. For example, a trigger warning could be placed on a book if it includes depictions of rape or murder. They should be used to give forewarning so that someone who could be seriously affected, or “triggered”, has a chance to prepare themselves to consume the media. One may think of them as similar to a rating on a movie. Ratings point out that a movie contains violence or strong language, so that viewers know what they’re going to watch. A safe space is a place for people to be free to express themselves without fear of ridicule or violence against them. They are made to protect people with minority identities who may not feel safe in everyday life. Trigger warnings and safe spaces are important, especially in schools because they support the needs of people who are usually ignored. Used in the right way, they can both be essential to a student’s education. Used in the wrong way, they can destroy academic opportunities for everyone involved and turn what is meant to be a safe space for the oppressed into a danger zone for the “oppressors”. As said above, trigger warnings should be used simply to …show more content…
They give students a place to feel safe and accepted. The notion that a safe space is only where there is no conflict and everyone agrees is broken. A safe space should be a place where everyone feels that their views and beliefs are heard and respected, no matter whether they agree with one another or not. Yet again, some students take the idea of “safe space” too far, to the point that they will silence anyone that contradicts them or has a different view. This turns the space from safe to sterile, even hostile. Those being called out on a misspeach or on an opposing view can become so afraid to share their views that it creates tension and hostility in a

Trigger Warnings

Colleges and universities across the country are moving in the opposite direction in which they should be--”trigger warnings” are being used by professors as precautionary headings on material that may be offensive or controversial to students. “Trigger warnings” are brief statements made before discussion of material that may cause emotional distraught or discomfort. This movement is being driven heavily by the students to keep campuses free of discomfort. Some people in life have dealt with hardships…

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Argumentative Essay On Trigger Warnings

in slide shows—can be very hurtful and trigger negative memories. Those memories might immediately hit our emotional side, making us want to crouch down, hug ourselves, and cry. Such tragic moments have motivated the usage of a cautionary mechanism known as “trigger warnings.” Trigger warnings are precautionary alerts that people receive regarding the content of a lecture, video, book, movie and any other visual material that can trigger them. The warnings help the victims of post-traumatic stress…

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Examples Of Written Trigger Warnings

In my 16.5 years of education, I have never received a written trigger warning for a course and only recall one instance in which a trigger warning was given verbally. It was my junior year of college and my film theory course was scheduled to watch Blood of the Beasts (Franju, 1949); a short French documentary that juxtaposes French life with images from a slaughterhouse. The professor stood before the class and warned us of the graphic imagery we were about to witness. She allowed us to leave the…

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Arguments Against Trigger Warning

The subject of trigger warning is a very controversial one in the academic environment, when not pitting faculty against students, it is students against other students. Before proceeding any further, what is a trigger warning? Trigger warning is stated as explicit alerts that the material they are about to read or see in a classroom might upset them or, as some students assert, cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in victims of rape or in war veterans (“Warning: The Literary Canon Could…

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Trigger Warning Myth Summary

In the first article How Trigger Warnings are Hurting Mental Health on Campuses the authors Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt state that there is a serious problem evolving at American colleges and universities. They talk about recent events that have drawn their intention. They describe it as follows “a movement is arising, undirected and driven largely by students, to scrub campuses clean of words, ideas, and subjects that might cause discomfort or give offense.” It is interesting to read that…

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Trigger Warnings Are Necessary Analysis

ignoring the requests of trigger warnings. Another critical reason why trigger warnings are necessary is by the support of an author, from The Odyssey. The author writes, “Trigger warnings are necessary. They could potentially save someone from distress and suicidal thoughts, or worse. Does everyone need trigger warnings? No. But acknowledging them could be the difference between a debilitating panic attack, and remaining mentally sound to those who do need trigger warnings” (Dorio). This declaration…

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The Pros And Cons Of Trigger Warnings

Trigger warnings has been becoming controversial in college. They are advisories placed before a presentation, syllabus, or on lecture slides. In recent years, schools are either encouraging or discouraging trigger warnings. Some are saying it has a negative impact and some are saying it has a positive impact. Trigger warnings sparked in feminist blogs that bounds on an introductory statement alerting people of sensitive material that could potentially give traumatic memories. Trigger warning statement…

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Trigger Warning Research Paper

The controversy of the effect of trigger warnings on students has become a debatable topic for universities. What effect does trigger warning have on the students? How beneficial is it for students? As University of Chicago’s “welcome" letter clearly stated its way of approaching “freedom of inquiry and expression”, they also mentioned that they do not support trigger warnings due to the fact that they coddle students. However, what harm does trigger warning cause to students and the environment…

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The Never Ending Trigger Warning Debate

Urbana-Champaign, states in her book Trigger Warnings: History, Theory, Context that “It seems that in recent months and years, not a week goes by that the trigger warnings is not in the news. Whether it be due to university trying to require that professors include trigger warnings in their syllabi” (…) “it seems that trigger warnings have become the newly contested topic to discuss in intellectual freedom circles, academia, and the media” (Knox 16). Trigger warnings is a statement at the start of a…

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Sofie Karasek's End Rape On Campus

wrote an article for New York Times. Karasek believes that trigger warnings are extremely helpful; however, her evidence comes from a story of a peer who was raped on her campus. She explains how the trigger warnings help the girl overcome her traumatic situation. The girl’s professor would warn her class when discussions about rape would occur, so it helped her prepare mentally for that day. Karasek, “These trigger, or content, warnings enabled Leader to delve into difficult material on her own…

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