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posted by cmn32480 on Tuesday September 01 2015, @02:37PM   Printer-friendly
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.


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  • (Score: 2) by AnonymousCowardNoMore on Tuesday September 01 2015, @04:03PM

    by AnonymousCowardNoMore (5416) on Tuesday September 01 2015, @04:03PM (#230862)

    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.

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  • (Score: 5, Insightful) by VLM on Tuesday September 01 2015, @04:39PM

    by VLM (445) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday September 01 2015, @04:39PM (#230886)

    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.