Trigger Warnings

[Ioruach]

Many of you have worked in academia, whether teaching or otherwise, and I am wondering if any of you are aware of this term or practice. The term seems to refer to a warning in some college classes today that the book you are about to read contains content that might disturb or upset you. It is a new one to me.

It began with an article in our local newspaper a few days ago by Debra Saunders, a columnist from San Francisco who strongly objected to the practice. That was followed by another column today by some local academic person who defended and praised the practice. In this column, the writer asserted that idea behind the practice is “making people aware of things like racism, classism, sexism, ableism, cissexism, and other issues of privilege and oppression.” Good grief!

Anybody know what all this is about? I couldn’t even find the word “cissexism” in my (rather out of date) Merriam-Webster.

[officerripley]

This is a new one for me too (scratching head)...

[Carci]

If you "google" the term you will find an explanation on Wikipedia... 

[Mandy Muffin]

Here is a lengthy and comprehensive analysis on the subject:  http://reason.com/archives/2014/05/27/trigger-warnings-on-campus-ar...

I minored in Literature in college, as I received a degree in Economics.  As a lifelong reader, there is nothing I won't read as long as it has redeeming value. I don't want anyone to protect me from literature that might trigger me to behave badly.  No college course can assume that exposing students to "triggering literature" will result in incidents like Virginia Tech, UC-Santa Barbara, etc.  This is too great a burden to place on educators.  Mentally ill people will do what they will do and there is little society can do to prevent them from doing harm. However, I am an advocate of gun control. 

College should  be run for the proliferation of ideas that lead to learning.  As the article questions, should colleges be in loco parentis (instead of the parents) or not?  I believe not.  Nor should society be in the business of screening literature from adults because it might trigger some reaction on their parts.  Of course, I'm a libertarian.  But I also believe in gun control, as I believe the intent of the Second Amendment was that an armed militia should have guns for the defense of the country, not every Tom, Dick and Harry who just wants to have one for the hell of it. 

[Ioruach]

I guess we are both more or less on the same page, Mandy. I did google "cissexism" (note, my spell-check doesn't even recognize the word) and read the definition it gave me. With that, I'm not sure I understand exactly what it was telling me anyway. But in my dotage, I suppose I'm not surprised. Perhaps tomorrow I will understand....or maybe the next day.

[Mandy Muffin]

Here is a discussion of the term: http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/03/everyday-cissexism/  From what I read, the term refers to labeling by genitalia, as at birth, asking if it is a boy or a girl.  Gender identity is a topic that has been explored and is being explored more and more, as the ability to change genders has become more available.  I think the classic book on the subject is Middlesex.  http://www.amazon.com/Middlesex-Jeffrey-Eugenides-ebook/dp/B002HHPV...  When I read it a few years back, I was captivated by the concept that what you are born as and what you develop into can be two entirely different things. I had just visited the area of Turkey that has produced a large number of cases of gender identity.  The crux of the story is that the condition can be biological (hermaphrodite) and not just psychological (gender identity). 

[Flowergram]

Mandy you are very well read and I quite agree regarding your views on gun control.  I have a friend who is a gun carrier and for the life of me I do not understand it.  The biggest chance is that someone will take it away from her.  I also have a grandson who collects guns - having been trained regarding hunting and proper care of guns.  He would not dream of carrying a weapon around even with a permit, unless he were a law man.  I also agree with your views on college as a place of learning and thinking.  It is unfortunate that mentally unstable people also go to schools, but you cannot blame books, movies etc. for what is in their minds.  I do think our country is too liberal in who can buy weapons.  We seem to have the worlds largest problem with them.  Off my soapbox now. LOL.