http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-university-of-chicago-safe-spaces-letter-met-20160825-story.html
The letter said, in part, that the university does not support "so called 'trigger warning'", [does] not cancel invited speakers because their topics might prove controversial, and we do not condone the creation of intellectual 'safe spaces' where individuals can retreat from ideas and perspectives at odds with their own."
I completely support this decision and applaud them for their stance.
Let me explain...
I completely understand PTSD. I understand that people have it and a trigger warring is helpful in their lives. But this is getting ridiculous. Much of the controversy is coming down to definitions of the words 'trigger warnings', 'safe spaces', etc.
A 'trigger' is some word, image, or expression that 'triggers' an unintentional response, feeling, or emotion from a person. This is my understanding of the verb form of the word.
Here is the formal definition of the verb form of 'trigger':
verb
- 1.cause (an event or situation) to happen or exist."an allergy can be triggered by stress or overwork"
The definition of 'trauma trigger' is: "...an experience that causes someone to recall a previous traumatic memory, although the trigger itself need not be frightening or traumatic and can be indirectly or superficially reminiscent an earlier traumatic incident."
I believe that the 'trauma trigger' is the kind of 'trigger' we are speaking about here. Here's my issue with 'trauma trigger warnings': you never know what will 'trigger' someone. Cars backfiring, the word taco, topics that include assault, talks on same-sex marriage, a cat, someone wearing a green dress, talks about IEDs, etc.
If a professor wants to put a trigger warning on their syllabus, fine. If they have had the experience that something in their class is going to be 'triggering' for someone, understood. But, the university cannot be expected to cater to every tiny thing that may set someone off. University or college is where an individual gets their first lesson in dealing with the real world and the real world doesn't have 'trigger warnings'.
Intellectual safe space? What the hell is that? I looked it up because I thought maybe I just didn't understand what they are talking about. I found an article from The Advocate entitled "Does University of Chicago Know Meaning of Safe Space?"
http://www.advocate.com/youth/2016/8/26/does-university-chicago-know-meaning-safe-spaces
I read it because I really wanted to make sure I knew that the term meant. They spoke with Campus Pride founder Shane Windmeyer who had this to say: "The intent of safe spaces is to empower colleges to support the needs of LGBTQ students by educating them on creating spaces where students feel comfortable to discuss issues of sexuality and gender identity."
Okay, I get it. Safe spaces were started for those being harassed can go to feel safe and get help. And I support them. I, myself, had a pin on my backpack in college delegating myself as a safe space for LGBTQ AND secular students. But, that was something I took on myself. I saw some of my professors with 'safe space' signs in their office windows. Again, this is easily something an individual can provide. I also joined many student-lead organizations that supported LGBTQ and secular students. That's where I found my safe spaces. I was responsible for seeking out those spaces or creating them if needed.
However, some groups have made it out that they need a space to go to when they have their opinions challenged. This is not something a university must provide for. I understand their main priority is to educate and challenge not hand hold.
And, sorry not sorry, if your university or a student-lead organization has invited a speaker to the campus and you do not agree with that...don't fucking go. OR you can act like a good adult, attend and listen to what the speaker says, ask questions, maybe, I don't know, LEARN SOMETHING. Even if you still don't agree with them at least you will have a better understanding of why you don't agree. Trust me, it makes you the better person when you are able to listen to varying opinions, entertain them, and still reject them. You're allowed to reject ideas. You are not allowed to silence others because you don't agree.
Universities are places where your ideas and beliefs are supposed to be challenged. But, they can not be responsible for students' emotional health, according a report issued by American Association of University Professors. That responsibility lies with counselors and other mental health experts which are sometimes already provided by the universities.
"Some discomfort is inevitable in classrooms if the goal is to expose students to new ideas, have them question beliefs they have taken for granted, grapple with ethical problems they have never considered, and, more generally, expand their horizons so as to become informed and responsible democratic citizens," an AAUP committee wrote in a 2014 report on the issue. "Trigger warnings suggest that classrooms should offer protection and comfort rather than an intellectually challenging education. They reduce students to vulnerable victims rather than full participants in the intellectual process of education."
As someone who is a survivor of an assault, I HATE when people give me a 'trigger warning'. I still jump when I hear a loud noise. Men who resemble my attacker will still make me uncomfortable. But they are my issues and I work through them when they happen.
I understand that not everyone feels the same way I do. But, I would rather handle my own emotions myself. They are, after all, my responsibility. And, after I was assaulted I sought emotional help and I received good (and FREE) care from an organization that was funded by the state. Help is out there. If you really need more emotional or psychological help, please seek it out! But, dear sweet fictional baby Jesus, don't force the rest of the world to cater to your emotional needs.
Does this make me sound crass? Sure. I accept that. Because I can't be responsible for how EVERYONE sees me or thinks of me. But, think about it, if you can't get through a classroom setting without a 'trigger warning' or a place to go so you can talk about how the day has affected you then you REALLY need more psychological help than a sentence on a paper about the upcoming conversation about assault/tacos/IEDs/religion/etc.
And, if you need more help, don't hesitate to seek it out. Just don't blame the rest of the world for not tiptoeing around you.
No comments:
Post a Comment