Today I was sitting in class and was told that we would be watching a short film and that we were to analyze the way they utilized animation to visually communicate their point. As I sat there and watched, what seemed like an innocent clip turned into a woman telling her very real, very vivid recollection of her sexual assault. Being a sexual assault survivor myself I was shocked, thrown off, and otherwise, incredibly triggered. I raised my hand and simply asked if the video was something that the professor showed every year, with the intention of letting him know that a trigger warning is something he should probably add to his pre-showing spiel. Instead of a calm conversation, I was greeted by hostility, anger, and a professor telling me that that “trigger words are a cultural thing”, and I “should be an adult and deal with it.”
Now, let’s go back to the beginning, because I believe that this simple interaction is symbolic of a greater discussion that is being had, and needs to be furthered. In case you are unaware, a trigger warning is when a person, or film, or rather anything that is introducing a more graphic topic will give a warning to the viewer that they are about to see content that may disturb them. This can be on a range of subjects from drugs, alcohol abuse, violence, sexual assault and much more. Trigger warnings are important because when a person is a victim or knows someone close to them who is a victim of something, having that particular thing displayed in front of them in a graphic way can trigger them back to feelings they may have gotten rid of, emotions they are still battling, flashbacks, or may even throw them into the spiral of depression they constantly fight to stay on top of.
Okay, now that we know what a trigger warning is, and why it is used, let’s use my story as an example. First of all, something you should know about me is I am a very strong, very opinionated person. As a victim, this video that was shown caused me to regurgitate feelings that I had been suppressing. It immediately made me feel deeply sad, depressed and otherwise numb to the world around me. When the video was over I struggled with myself as to whether or not I should say something, because, is it really worth it? If I were not the person I am, I would have stayed quiet. But something tugged at the inner parts of my being:
Dorri, you’re not the only one who will be shown this video. Dorri, you’re not the only one in this classroom. You need to speak up for how you feel and how others may also have been affected.
Now, I want to make something very clear; this is not necessarily a dig on a particular class, teacher, or method of instruction. This is rather an opening up of dialogue from someone’s perspective who has been impacted by it. I had a very interesting discussion with some of my classmates after the class (trust me, if I knew this was going to turn into what it was with the professor, I would have simply waited until after class and said it then). They said things like “at some point, it is your life, and you do need to take responsibility for what happens to you”-which I think is 100% true, and, the things that happen to you are your problem. The people around you that love and support often take them on you- and I understand this viewpoint and concept. However, when in a classroom in particular that you are required to go to and told that you cannot miss the lessons for, there should be some kind of warning of graphic images and stories. Even if this is in the form of a statement on a syllabus or on the first day of class.
As a teacher, your job involves catering to a diversity of people, with largely varied backgrounds. There is no way you can know what every single student you have is going through or has gone through. Also, it was suggested to me that I “should let every teacher that [I] have know that [I] have experienced sexual assault on the first day so that they will be aware”, which is the most idiotic suggestion I have ever received.
Needless to say, trigger warnings are important. You may not have any idea what you’re saying or showing will negatively affect someone else in direct proximity to you. This is wildly important on the internet as well. There are times when I have clicked on videos that had no indicators that they would be charged full of violent sexual assault, and then I am stuck at my computer crying for hours. Things like this can paralyze you. When you don’t know you are going to be exposed to the event that you have been spending your life trying to deal with and avoid, the repercussions can be detrimental.
I beg of you, think before you post. If something triggers you in a class, and you don’t realize it in time to leave, say something so you can maybe help someone else. Be kind to the people around you.
When I decided to speak up in class, I was terrified. And then to be directly attacked with a group of 30 people listening shook me to my core. But hopefully I helped people to understand that a survivor of something awful can be your friend, your sister, your classmate, and if we don’t stand up for each other, then who will?
