Cursed content is sometimes uncomfortable and disturbing. It is important to be conscious of how this affects us and and others. Exposure to graphic content can cause lasting mental illness—see this article about the lives of Facebook content moderators [CW: mental health, racism]. That being said, it is important not to pretend that the world is a perfect place where everything is sunshine and rainbows, and part of cursed content is delving into that. Therefore, it is important that we are aware of the disturbing content that can be present and call it out.

What are Content Warnings and Trigger Warnings?

content warnings are "verbal or written notices that precede potentially sensitive content. These notices flag the contents of the material that follows, so readers, listeners, or viewers can prepare themselves to adequately engage or, if necessary, disengage for their own wellbeing."

trigger warnings are "a specific variety of content warning that attempt to forewarn audiences of content that may cause intense physiological and psychological symptoms for people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety disorders." ¹

Trigger warnings and content warnings (abbreviated TW and CW) allow each of us to take care of our own health and learning.

Guidelines

I'd like to propose these rules for approaching content and trigger warnings:

• Label all materials with content and trigger warnings. There are great guides to follow, such as Trigger Warnings 101. This looks something like [TW: self-harm, homophobia] preceding your work or research.
• Avoid graphic depictions of violence and suffering, especially of Black and Indigenous folks, and of other marginalized voices. There are probably other ways to get your point across.
• If you feel it is important to your work to depict graphic content, punch up. This is a term used in the content of comedy, which means to make jokes at the expense of someone who is at a higher level of power in terms of status or privilege. Just substitute "jokes" with "content".
• Sam and I will do our best to label any references with trigger and content warnings.
• You are free, at any time, to excuse yourself from class if you believe that a work or discussion will be harmful to you. No explanation is needed.
• If there anything beyond this guide you would like to feel safe to participate in this class, please let us know and we are happy to collaborate with you to make it the best experience possible.

1. https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/inclusive-teaching/inclusive-classrooms/an-introduction-to-content-warnings-and-trigger-warnings/