PRO/CON: Should colleges warn

students about disturbing topics?

By McClatchy-Tribune, adapted by Newsela staff on 09.14.14
Word Count 930

Stanford University law degree student Cassandra Kildow asks a question during Bob Gordon's law class, Sept. 24,
2013, in Stanford, California. Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group/MCT

PRO: It helps class talks on disturbing topics

NEW YORK The college classroom is the proper place to discuss possibly disturbing or
traumatic topics. "Trigger warnings" dont get in the way of that. In fact, they improve upon
it.
Trigger warnings started on the Internet. Originally, they were a way to warn readers about
writings that might be traumatic.
The reasoning was that someone who had been attacked, for instance, might want to be
warned before reading about an attack. Trigger warnings generally dont anger people in
online writings. Some writers use them, but most dont.
Earlier this year, though, college students started pushing for the use of trigger warnings in
classes. Their demand made many people angry. Some professors don't like the idea.
As a history professor I discuss difcult material in class. I think its important to tell
students what their rights are.

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"My Own Trigger Warning"

I came up with my own trigger warning. In mine, I tell students that some of them may nd
some of the material we cover disturbing.
I let students know that Im open to discussing their feelings about topics during class. I
tell them that they are free to step outside briey if they nd anything upsetting. They can
also meet me in my ofce after class.
Recently, I wrote an article on trigger warnings for an online newspaper. Many people
found it helpful. Others thought my trigger warning wasn't strong enough.
What did this tell me?
Think at least three things: First, that the discussion of trigger warnings in the classroom is
still in its early stages. Teachers should join in the talk about it.
Second, the term trigger warnings may be new. But many professors are probably already
doing something like it.
And third, that even small changes to teaching practice can have a large positive effect in
the classroom.

ABOUT THE WRITER: Angus Johnston teaches history at Hostos Community

College in New York and maintains the website studentactivism.net. Readers
may write him at Hostos, 500 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York, 10451.
This essay is available to McClatchy-Tribune News Service subscribers.
McClatchy-Tribune did not subsidize the writing of this column; the opinions
are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of
McClatchy-Tribune or Newsela.

CON: It might stop class talks on a lot of disturbing topics

MADISON, Wis. Trigger warnings are verbal or written warnings. Many universities
have begun to put them in place. Others are considering them. Teachers provide them
about material that might trigger trauma in students who have experienced or witnessed
upsetting events.
The danger of trauma is that it can lead to mental or emotional problems. Experiencing
events like war or being attacked can make students upset by certain topics. When some
students read about topics like war or race or sex it can bring up memories. Even reading
about a country ruling another country could be hurtful.
Being reminded of trauma can emotionally harm the student. It can make it harder to learn.
Trigger warnings might help protect students from re-experiencing the past trauma.
This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.

What could be wrong with that? Unfortunately, many problems lie just beneath the surface.

Too Many Trigger Warnings?

First, it is impossible to determine in advance what deserves a warning. Complaints and
court action are possible if professors don't warn of some potentially upsetting material. To
avoid that, many teachers would likely warn about large amounts of material. They would
do it just to be safe.
Or they could cut parts of the course material to not upset anyone. Small cuts could lead
to bigger ones.
Already, trigger warnings have been applied to famous works of literature. The Great
Gatsby and The Merchant of Venice are among them.
Gatsby? Really?! Whats next? And what if a student refuses to read the agged material,
however important it is to the class?
Another danger: trigger warnings would give more power to the people who run colleges.
Many are already too eager to add rules to protect students' feelings. They're more
interested in that than the freedom to explore ideas in the classroom.

The Purpose Of Education

Most important, trigger warnings are against the purpose of education.
Education should teach students about the good and bad that humans cause. Doing so
must include matters of good and evil, life and death.
And education must prepare students to be strong enough to handle clashing ideas. It is
necessary to a free country. It is part of being a citizen. Trigger warnings treat students as
if they are not ready to be citizens.
At the same time, the warnings put teachers in the place of parents.
To deal with upsetting material, leave the matter where it has always been left: to the
judgment of professors.
If a trigger warning must be had, place these words atop a universitys main webpage:
Education necessarily exposes students to ideas and experiences that are new,
challenging, and sometimes painful. To be properly educated, you must learn to handle
and welcome such challenges.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.

ABOUT THE WRITER: Donald A. Downs, a research fellow at the Independent

Institute, Oakland, California, is professor of political science, law and
journalism at the University of Wisconsin and author of the book Restoring
Free Speech and Liberty on Campus. Readers may write to him at 303 North
Hall, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706; email:
dadowns@wisc.edu.
This essay is available to McClatchy-Tribune News Service subscribers.
McClatchy-Tribune did not subsidize the writing of this column; the opinions
are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of
McClatchy-Tribune or Newsela.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.

Quiz
1

What point do both authors AGREE on?

(A)

Trigger warnings are against the purpose of education.

(B)

Being reminded of trauma can emotionally harm the student.

(C)

College classrooms are the right place for trigger warnings.

(D)

Trigger warnings treat students as if they are not ready to be citizens.

What point does only the CON author discuss?

(A)

if trigger warnings are against the purpose of education

(B)

if professors already make judgments about what to include in class

(C)

if trigger warnings would give more power to people who run colleges

(D)

if education should teach students about the good and bad that humans
cause

What does the PRO author use to support his point that trigger warnings work in the
classroom?
(A)

quotes from professors

(B)

detailed descriptions

(C)

personal experience

(D)

supporting studies

Which of the following sentences BEST supports the CON author's claim that trigger warnings
could stop the free ow of ideas in class?
(A)

Trigger warnings might help protect students from re-experiencing the past
trauma.

(B)

Already, trigger warnings have been applied to famous works of literature.

(C)

Education should teach students about the good and bad that humans
cause.

(D)

First, it is impossible to determine in advance what deserves a warning.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.

Answer Key
1

What point do both authors AGREE on?

(A)

Trigger warnings are against the purpose of education.

(B)

Being reminded of trauma can emotionally harm the student.

(C)

College classrooms are the right place for trigger warnings.

(D)

Trigger warnings treat students as if they are not ready to be citizens.

What point does only the CON author discuss?

(A)

if trigger warnings are against the purpose of education

(B)

if professors already make judgments about what to include in class

(C)

if trigger warnings would give more power to people who run colleges

(D)

if education should teach students about the good and bad that humans
cause

What does the PRO author use to support his point that trigger warnings work in the
classroom?
(A)

quotes from professors

(B)

detailed descriptions

(C)

personal experience

(D)

supporting studies

Which of the following sentences BEST supports the CON author's claim that trigger warnings
could stop the free ow of ideas in class?
(A)

Trigger warnings might help protect students from re-experiencing the past
trauma.

(B)

Already, trigger warnings have been applied to famous works of

literature.

(C)

Education should teach students about the good and bad that humans
cause.

(D)

First, it is impossible to determine in advance what deserves a warning.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.