Why Is This Necessary?

I was reading a post on Medium.com and the author began with this “caution:”

Disclaimer: This article discusses sensitive topics that may trigger difficult memories for those who have experienced severe trauma. Please proceed only if you feel prepared and comfortable.

Now the title of this piece was “Christians Struggle to Justify Hell and Shift the Blame.” If this topic was something that would “trigger” me, why would I read it? If the same article had a title “Chocolate Bunnies Taste Great!” I might need a warning, but. . . .

Do people with peanut allergies really need a warning . . . on jars of peanut butter . . . that says “Contains peanuts! If you are allergic. . . .” Every drug advertised has a warning to not take the drug if you are allergic to it. Really?

All of these sound like cautions recommended by lawyers so they can say in court, “But, Your Honor, it clearly states of the label “Contains Peanuts.” Are lawyers in charge of our commercial communications? And obviously this has bled over into academic discourse. As a college teacher, I was offended by those suggesting that I should warn students that they may feel uncomfortable from various things being taught. How the Hell does one learn without feeling confused, or mentally uncomfortable. It is my job to stretch their thinking, no? I wanted them uncomfortable, bewildered, no.

Are we to warn students in a weight training class that their muscles might be stressed? In cooking classes do we start with “stoves can get hot, so be careful” and “watch out for knives, they are sharp?”

If you, as a reader, have experienced severe trauma, shouldn’t you be your own gatekeeper? Who knows better than you whether something you are reading is making you too uncomfortable to continue? And “Please proceed only if you feel prepared and comfortable.” Fuck that! I want to be challenged. I want my assumptions to be exposed and examined. I want to learn and I can’t do that hiding behind my fears. Whatever happened to “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?”