The
PIONEER
ISSUE 4 | October 1, 2015 | Whitman news since 1896 | Vol. CXXXVII
TRIGGER WARNINGS at
Whitman Illu
A national conversation about language on college campuses is underway. Where does Whitman fit in?
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“A
movement is arising, undirected and driven largely by students, to scrub campuses clean of words, ideas, and subjects that might cause discomfort or give offense...This new climate is slowly being institutionalized, and is affecting what can be said in the classroom, even as a basis for discussion.” “The Coddling of the American Mind,” The Atlantic Monthly In the September issue of The Atlantic, an article co-written by constitutional lawyer Greg Lukianoff and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt challenged what they described as a culture of protectionism on college campuses. Largely absent of student voices, the article received significant media attention for being highly controversial. Regardless of their opinions, Lukianoff’s and Haidt’s writing calls into focus a heightened awareness of trigger warnings, microaggressions, and sensitivity in college environments.
These issues have provoked similarly mixed, and often strong, opinions on Whitman’s campus. The use of trigger warnings and the debate surrounding it has undoubtedly increased in recent memory. Trigger warnings are messages meant to communicate that a material’s content may be traumatizing. Examples of content for which trigger warnings are often used are sexual assault and racial violence. Do these warnings respond to a need for greater sensitivity and self-reflection on difficult subjects? Or do they merely allow students to avoid sensitive topics? Students, faculty, and administrators at Whitman and on campuses nationwide are asking these questions as they consider whether trigger warnings should be included in course syllabi and precede class discussions. Many students contend that trigger warnings are essential in maintaining safety in the classroom. The idea of a “safe space” intends to prevent those who have undergone traumatic experiences from being triggered in a way that causes emotional harm. “Trigger warnings are real-
Students choose favorite local restaurants
ly about being safe and having a safe place, and if you’re fully aware that a certain topic being discussed is traumatizing or makes you feel really negative or anxious or really emotional, then removing yourself to a better place, a safe space, is really important,” says junior and Executive Director of the Power & Privilege Symposium Anna Zheng. Lukianoff and Haidt argue that trigger warnings allow students to “opt-out” of difficult material. Opponents to these warnings often assert that colleges should intellectually challenge students, and giving them the option not to expose themselves shelters students from the harsher realities of the post-college world. Assistant Professor of Psychology Tom Armstrong, whose research areas include anxiety disorders and PTSD, questions the notion that warnings are harmful to student development. Instead, he says that these warnings, when executed properly, can encourage a climate of learning. “The authors claim that trigger warnings prevent contact with triggers, but alterna-
tively, [warnings] could prepare students and increase the odds of experiencing control and efficacy during the exposure,” said A rmstrong in an email. Similarly, many students agree that providing a chance to prepare and anticipate material through trigger warnings could help these individuals deal with similar situations in the future. With this in mind, some say that the decision to par ticipate should be based on personal comfor t levels: the presence of a trigger warning before discussion could have the effect of assigning a par ticular tone to a conversation. “The real world isn’t going to be sensitive to your individual traumas,” said junior English major Molly Walls. “But, in a classroom setting, there’s a way to remove yourself from a conversation without completely derailing it, whether that be physically removing yourself or choosing not to par ticipate.”
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Feature Editor
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by HANNAH BARTMAN
see TRIGGER WARNINGS, page 6
IPECC holds first Whitman History Day by MIKAELA SLADE Staff Reporter
The Indigenous People’s Education and Culture Club, IPECC, set out tables on Alumni weekend in order to educate both alumni and students about the racism and symbolism of some of the landmarks on campus. During this event, dubbed Whitman History Day, IPECC brought in Associate Professor of Art History Dennis Crockett to give a talk on the architec-
ture and the history of the school in order to discuss the misleading romanticism that is associated with some of the historic landmarks and to ensure that their historical context was provided. “I decided to back it up with content about where we are from and emphasize the biases of the foundation of Whitman; it is not a nice clean history,” said Crockett. Crockett spoke about the conflicts between the UK and the US, as well as the conflict between Catholic and Protestant settlers.
Crockett’s talk was geared towards the British and European Americans that were in the Oregon Territory between 1763 and 1846 in order to talk about their conflicts, which preceded the founding of Whitman. Professor Dennis Crockett presents for Whitman History Day “What I was focusing on was British and US conflict out here and Protestant and Catholic conflict,” said Crockett. “The British tended to be Catholic and the US was Protestant.” see WHITMAN HISTORY, page 2
Bright’s Candies, Graze, and Shiki Hibachi Sushi are among students’ favorite places to eat near campus. Photo by Credit
by EMMA COOPER Staff Reporter
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very year, the Walla Walla Union Bulletin announces the “Best of the Best” restaurants in Walla Walla. This week, The Pioneer put together its own “Best of the Best” awards based on Whitman student favorites. While some of Walla Walla’s finest have
received their awards for their friendly ambiance or the quality of their food, a handful of the restaurants are receiving awards because they serve some of the best fried food around. From sandwiches to sushi, teriyaki to tacos, Whitman students’ favorites are represented here in the Fall 2015 edition of The Pioneer’s “Best of the Best.” see EATERIES, page 4
Students listen to Professor of Art History Dennis Crockett (above) speak as a part of IPECC’s Whitman History Day. Crockett’s talk was complemented by stations around campus discussing the symbolism of local landmarks. Photo by Hampson
WHAT’S INSIDE THIS ISSUE?
Inside News
A&E
Sports
Opinion
Pio Hour
News writer Ellen Ivens-Duran reports on a recent State Supreme Court decision that could spell trouble for Walla Walla’s previously approved charter school.
A documentary on inmate education programs at the Washington State Penitentiary by three ‘15 alums recently won an award at the Harlem International Film Festival.
With new and expanded training, the men’s cross country team is gearing up for a competitive season.
Columnist Olivia Gilbert questions incessant photo-taking in travel.
Radio hosts Anna Middleton and Andrew Schwartz talk to local engineers about upcoming plans to alter the Mill Creek levees. Tune in at KWCW 90.5 FM this Monday, Oct. 5th.
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