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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: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 02 2015, @12:18AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 02 2015, @12:18AM (#231040)

    Trigger warnings are entirely appropriate for "safe spaces" (informal internet support groups). If you find yourself in a place specifically set aside for trauma sufferers don't be a massive dick and just follow the rules or leave respectfully.

    Having said that, it should be obvious that safe spaces and public spaces are mutually exclusive. Campuses have not helped themselves out here by co-opting the language of social justice academia without the context. It's perfectly reasonable to have a campus-wide anti-harrasment policy, but for fuck sake don't advertise your campus is a "safe space" because it is not and can not be by definition.

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