Those of us that work in marginalized communities and activism are more than likely familiar with the practice of trigger warnings. For some time I have been working, speaking, listening, writing, facilitating, healing, and navigating within social networks that use the term “trigger warning” to warn people of sensitive materials.
I have trouble resolving the word “trigger,” a word that’s inherently violent as it’s directly associated with guns, gun violence, traps, mines, and war.
In the western world, movie theatres are packed with patrons paying to see gun violence, games are played where winning means killing the most people, and the news is telling us of gun violence daily.
But why pretend violence is okay? Why do we teach children that bullying and violence are bad when we simultaneously engage in media where violence is acceptable, where fictional superheroes are praised even though their methods are inherently violent?
The purpose of a warning serves as an opportunity to check over ourselves; to brace ourselves, to say, “I can’t do this right now” and leave the room. UsingĘthe word “trigger” to warn people of emotionally sensitive material is sadly ironic.
I encourage us all to think about this and when we are trying to work in anti-violence and harm reduction that we try to collectively avoid terms commonly associated with violent acts and violence.
It’s not easy and, given the prevalence of the phrase “trigger warning,” it may seem unlikely that it will be replaced. But I know I will practise to provide people with an “emotional stressor warning” instead.