Trigger Warnings in Academia: Protection or Overreach?
Last month, a student assembly at Cornell unanimously approved a resolution urging instructors to provide “trigger warnings” before discussing potentially traumatic content such as sexual assault and interpersonal violence. However, the university's president vetoed the resolution, arguing that it infringed on “academic freedom and freedom of inquiry.”
The student who proposed the resolution was motivated by her friend's experience of being sexually assaulted and having a strong reaction to a graphic rape scene in a novel. This response is not uncommon among trauma survivors, who may experience strong emotional reactions when reminded of their traumatic experiences.
I’ve heard two prevailing arguments against trigger warnings. One argument is that we are becoming too sheltered emotionally, like Bill Maher asserts, “I’m triggered every time I see a trigger warning because I’m reminded of how weak my country has become. It’s like wearing a mask on your mind.”
The other argument, as put forward by the Cornell president, is that trigger warnings are part of a broader movement to limit free speech, and that academia has a responsibility to resist censorship.
I find the concept of banning books abhorrent. Similarly, in regards to the kerfuffle at Stanford last month, I believe that Judge Kyle Duncan’s voice deserves to be heard, even though I disagree with his views. We need to listen to one another, before we can work toward understanding, compromise, and resolution. However, giving individuals the choice to participate or not in discussions about potentially traumatic content does not limit free speech.
As I’ve mentioned, helplessness is the hallmark of trauma. The ability to decline participation can be empowering for trauma survivors, as it helps them regain a sense of control over their lives.
However, avoidance is also a common symptom of trauma exposure. While it may seem sensible to avoid things that upset us, research has shown that avoidance-oriented coping pursuant to a traumatic event can lead to PTSD symptoms in the long run.
If you’re afraid of flying, and you never get on a plane, you’ll continue to see air travel as terrifying. If you keep flying, while effectively managing your anxiety, you’ll eventually come to see that air travel can be safe. Overcoming fear requires developing coping skills, accessing resources, facing the fear, and internalizing one's strength and success.
Although I don’t agree with much of what Maher has to say on the topic of trigger warnings, one thing he said resonated with me: “What they do is reinforce the idea that trauma is central to your identity, and that you should let it define you instead of dealing with, it dispatching it and moving beyond it.”
Avoiding your traumatic memories can keep them large and looming in your life. Whereas working with a trained professional, and putting the experiences into perspective, can help to minimize their impact. With the right support, being exposed to minimally invasive reminders of trauma, in a relatively safe space like a classroom, can be therapeutic.
