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I used to think trigger warnings on syllabi were censorship until a veteran in my polisci class broke down crying during a war film
He was 22 and had done two tours in Afghanistan, and watching him walk out of that lecture made me realize the warnings aren't about limiting speech, they're about giving people a heads up to prepare. Has anyone else changed their mind on a free speech issue after seeing it play out in real time?
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hannah_williams13d ago
Yeah, 'giving people a heads up' really hits it, it's just basic decency not some attack on ideas.
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charles_chen9313d ago
It's funny how the simplest rule works best, I've found. I just say something like "quick heads up, I'll be talking about a sensitive topic for a bit" and then move on. No long apology or explanation needed, just a second of warning so people can brace themselves or step away. I've actually had people thank me for it afterward, which never happens when I just dive in cold. It's one of those things that costs nothing but makes a huge difference, you know?
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