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from the this-article-may-trigger-strong-emotions dept.
There is a lot of talk on the net these days about microagressions, and it's good netiquette to post trigger warnings before discussing sensitive topics. What's good in online forums isn't necessarily appropriate in-person, especially on University campuses. The cover article for September's edition of The Atlantic magazine discusses the harm that students' requests for trigger warnings on course content and accusations of microagression are causing, stifling open conversation on campuses across America. The authors also suggest that these student behaviors are actively causing harm to the students.
Avoiding trigger topics, instead of assisting those who have suffered traumas, perpetuates and enhances the pathology of the phobias they hope not to trigger. The hunt for microagression creates in the students cognitive distortions that are usually treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. The authors are calling this "The Coddling of the American Mind", and suggest it will create a generation of graduates unable to cope with the world after graduation.
The authors also appeared on the Diane Rehm show, on a segment called "The New Political Correctness: Why Some Fear It's Ruining American Education". Far from trying to shut down the conversation about race relations, the authors are trying to re-open it.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by sjames on Tuesday September 01 2015, @03:52PM
On the other hand, it the subject cannot be mentioned in a general educational environment without the prof. getting fired, how will we educate the psychologists, medical personnel and councilors needed to help people after rape?
(Score: 2) by AnonymousCowardNoMore on Tuesday September 01 2015, @04:03PM
I wholeheartedly agree. I was merely pointing out—with an extreme example—that there must exist a point where you are so extremely uncomfortable that discomfort is no longer a good thing.
But then I suspect we all know that the "I'm offended" crowd doesn't actually exist to help victims.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by VLM on Tuesday September 01 2015, @04:39PM
And, note the demographics of the supposed offenders are as predictable as the offendees.
Its basically a witch hunt. The Salem witch hunts ended up being run against old women, and weaponized microaggressions exist to be used against white men, different target but same outlook and goal. Sorta a leftie version of the McCarthy hearings.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by jmorris on Wednesday September 02 2015, @12:57AM
It is worse already. There are already cases of law schools that can't teach about the laws regarding rape because it might trigger a student. Future lawyers won't know what to do, good luck if you are accused of rape and need a defense lawyer. Of course the prosecutor will be equally clueless in the future so it might balance out... but of course none of that will matter because we are already at the point where the accusation is all that counts, especially on a campus.
And how about studying immigration law when the U.S. Code itself is outlawed in the classroom? You not only can't say 'illegal alien' but many schools now ban even the word 'alien' yet the code doesn't, it speaks of both resident and illegal ones.
But it isn't about hypersensitivity at all, that is simply the excuse; claim victim status and end the argument. These are SJWs and what do SJWs do? Everybody all together:
"THEY LIE!"
It is about one side wrapping the victim flag around themselves and doing the classic "Shut up, he explained." move. Try claiming to be triggered as member of an out of favor group and see how far you get. Try claiming that as a Jew you are kinda offended and triggered by the local Muslim Brotherhood gang with their Hitler related signs at the rallies. (Google it, yup they do that. Nobody sez nothin' lest they get expelled for Islamophobia.) Tell the administration the fat lesbian who screams in your face about patriarchy and other incomprehensible crap is a bit rude and if she keeps it up you just might have to take offense at it.... and unless you are black or homosexual you will get expelled for using a gendered pronoun. It is just politics and It only works in one direction, always toward the left.