Reactions to a dean’s letter against shielding students from controversial or offensive ideas
To the Editor: Re “University of Chicago Rebels Against Moves to Stifle Speech” (front page, Aug. 27):
To those academics who oppose content warnings in the classroom: We are not seeking to diminish your freedom of expression. We do not want to limit in any way your conversations or hinder the dialogues in which you might engage. All we ask for is the courtesy of a chance for our peers to brace themselves for painful memories and physical reactions to certain content, or to excuse themselves on the days that they are simply not up to the task of dealing with their trauma again. We won’t infringe on your right to teach, read, speak, view, print, question, scream whatever you want. Please don’t infringe on our right to feel safe. These two rights are not in opposition to each other.
Trigger warnings are not contrary to academia, to freedom of expression, to strong minds developing, or to braving the real world. They are the recognition that trauma, pain and suffering are real. They exist because of the bold cries of people unafraid to say, “I still hurt.” They are basic human compassion.
JACOB GINSBERG
Huntington Beach, Calif.
[For more go to http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09...peech-on-campus.html]
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