So, it’s come to this…
There are conflicting reports about whether or not there was a sign(s) posted at Hofstra University prior to the presidential debate advising students that there were “trigger warnings” surrounding the debate.
What is a “trigger warning?”
If you’re unclear about what a “trigger warning” is, the Atlantic explains:
Trigger warnings are alerts that professors are expected to issue if something in a course might cause a strong emotional response. For example, some students have called for warnings that Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart describes racial violence and that F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby portrays misogyny and physical abuse, so that students who have been previously victimized by racism or domestic violence can choose to avoid these works, which they believe might “trigger” a recurrence of past trauma.
Here’s a better definition, however.
Back to Hofstra…
According to MRCTV, Hofstra University placed a “trigger warning” sign warning students about Monday night’s debate:
Hofstra University has posted a “trigger warning” sign to warn students about the potentially disturbing content that may be discussed during Monday night’s presidential debate.
According to CBS New York reporter Tony Aiello, a sign inside of the student center at Hofstra reads, “Trigger warning: The event conducted just beyond this sign may contain triggering and/or sensitive material. Sexual violence, sexual assault, and abuse are some topics mentioned within this event. If you feel triggered, please know there are resources to help you.”
Sign inside Student Center at Hofstra. I guess these are common now on college campuses? #TriggerWarning pic.twitter.com/gfRkKVtToM
— Tony Aiello (@AielloTV) September 26, 2016
Whether or not Hofstra University placed the sign for the presidential debate or some other political event is being debated on twitter.
Yes there is a trigger warning in the Hofstra student center. Hofstra put it here for MTV's @ElectThis campaign. NOT for the debate. pic.twitter.com/9UOghf6h5v
— Kyle Blaine (@kyletblaine) September 26, 2016
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