Normalize Trigger Warnings In All Mediums

Do you think music should have trigger warnings? Honestly, that question tripped me up when my friend first asked me. My initial thought was, shouldn’t it be up to the artist because it’s their work? But then I thought about it more carefully and responded with, “All forms of art should have trigger warnings.” 

In certain circles, trigger warnings typically receive eye-rolls and head scratches. It’s seen as “pussy behavior” and “doing the most.” In place of trigger warnings, we are exposed to general warning labels in mediums, such as movies and music tracks, with a parental advisory, graphic content, or explicit content 

While those labels are necessary and important, they are not enough. 

In addition to mandating trigger warnings be accompanied by a description, we need to place those warnings in closer proximity to the potential trigger. Should a viewer be expected to not watch an entire episode/movie because of a trigger warning they are uncomfortable with? Most people, including myself, jeopardize themselves to the trigger to not miss out on the entire episode/movie. This makes me question whether the blame should be placed on the viewer for watching it, or the directors and producers for not only including the scene but not placing a trigger warning right before the scene. With how unempathetic our society has become to sensibility and how normalized it’s become to neglect trigger warnings, society would probably blame the viewer.

There is this idea that trigger warnings can “take away from the art” or “minimalize free expression.” Those claims come from a place of privilege and inconsideration. Placing warnings won’t take away from the art, it will simply prepare the audience for any possible triggering content. Instead of letting society say fuck your mental health and deal with it, we can be more considerate for those that struggle with anxiety, PTSD, generational trauma, etc. Those that choose to not heed warnings can simply ignore it, but the end goal is to avoid anyone from being harmed or traumatized. 

Specifically, in academic settings, when someone undergoes a physical injury, they receive extra support with no questions asked; everyone is sympathetic and accommodating. However, when someone experiences mental trauma or pain, society doesn’t provide you any leniency; now, you’re just labeled as a weakling. There is no doctor’s note and teachers don’t care to enforce any adaptations for your needs. 

From personal experience with sexual assault, I get anxious and become reminded of my traumatic interactions if I am exposed to that because my recovery is an on-going process. While I don’t experience panic attacks, I do feel the impact when people are discussing such topics. Everyone has a story, whether big or small, and no one deserves to be criticized or shut down for needing a warning. 

Moreover, the notion that people who advocate for trigger warnings “can’t handle the real world” sheds light on society’s definition of strength being seen as “emotionally unavailable”. While society is able to acknowledge the suffering in the world, they claim it’s unreasonable to cope with that suffering in ways people can see: 

Are you using dark humor to talk about traumatizing issues without acknowledging the trauma? That’s funny bro.

Are you getting emotional and crying over traumatizing issues? Sure, I guess if you don’t admit to it. You’re still a wimp though. 

Are you admitting to needing support to heal from a traumatic experience? How dare you be so entitled? 

Implementing a policy for trigger warnings in social media and academic settings is essential to create a more comfortable setting for audiences. It enables inclusion and takes people’s mental health into consideration to overall be more compassionate. As a society, we need to reevaluate how we understand mental health, emotional needs, and responses to violence and trauma. We need to change the narrative of the status quo and accept that trauma affects different people in different ways. 

Let us all commit to a forever of accountability and justice <3