What is a Trigger Warning? “A statement at the start of a piece of writing, video, etc., alerting the reader or viewer to the fact that it contains potentially distressing material.”
Trigger Warnings, we’ve all got them, whether you realize it or not. For instance, some people are incredibly insulted by pineapples on pizza. And sometimes, readers can’t handle reading a rape scene, because THEY ARE A VICTIM OF RAPE.
This week, for the first time, a follower on my Candace Reads Books Facebook Page commented about Trigger Warnings on a book I suggested, she said:
“At the risk of sounding like a “special snowflake,” this series is a tough read if you suffer with depression. Just, you know, your friendly neighborhood trigger warning.”
We are a sensitive society; and we are also a beautifully accommodating one.
Yes, us Snowflakes are sensitive and sometimes we ask that other accommodate us. Doesn’t EVERYONE want some sort of accommodation?! And don’t say you “no” while you’re sitting in your vehicle with heated tushy toasters under your butt cheeks.
Lots of times, if you hear your Snowflake friend out, their reasoning for a Trigger Warning is coming from a really good, wholehearted, compassionate place. And does it hurt me to write “trigger warning” on a post even if the trigger doesn’t apply to me? Abso-fucking-lutely not.
The only time Trigger Warnings suck are when it gives away the plot of a book. BUT! So many wonderful authors write in their Book Description, “this book has triggers, for more information, please email.”
I have a trigger and I didn’t even realize it. I was talking to a friend last night and I told her I HATE reading books where Alpha Males are borderline controlling/abusive. Some women find this hot, I do not. It pisses me off and takes me back to a place I don’t want to be. If a character is pissing me off, that probably means I don’t like the character and therefor will not like the book.
So guess what I do? I put the damn book down and move on with my day. I don’t go and message the author, pissed off, for writing something that made me feel not so great, insulting them and asking them to pull the book for being ‘insensitive’. IT’S THEIR BOOK. IT’S THEIR JOURNEY. IT’S THEIR MESSAGE; and it won’t always be for me.
Don’t smash the author. Because I’ve seen A LOT of this lately. You take a risk when picking up a book, just like you take a risk when eating from a Roach Coach.
On a side note: This label, ‘snowflake,’ has a negative connotation attached to it. OWN THAT SHIT. I’m a snowflake, I give a damn about others, that’s not a bad thing.
I am sensitive, but I am not weak.
Snowflakes are beautiful, y’all.
