To the Editor:
Incest and sexual violence are hardly the only sorts of topics that might trigger panic attacks in students. The same can happen with readings about racism or readings critical of abortion or affirmative action, which may give some students the panicky feeling of being attacked. Even depictions of love and success may induce panic in students who fear that they will never have these goods.
Here’s why I don’t use trigger warnings: I’m a teacher, not a therapist, and I teach young adults, not children. Rather than second-guess what might cause panic attacks in students, I favor a general statement that some students may find some course material upsetting, each student should deal with that in his own way, and my job is to provide intellectual thrills, not therapy.
FELICIA NIMUE ACKERMAN
Providence, R.I.
The writer is a professor of philosophy at Brown University.
Note from KBJ: Why would you even provide "a general statement that some students may find some course material upsetting"? Life is upsetting. Get used to it.
