This document discusses triggers, potential responses to triggers, and ways to be aware of triggers for both oneself and others. It defines a trigger as something that makes people feel diminished or offended due to their social group identity. Common responses to triggers include avoidance, silence, rationalization, and shock. The document also lists ways people may resist emotions around discussions of identity, power, and oppression, such as minimizing the impact of their identity, avoiding certain topics, or hiding emotions. Finally, it recommends being aware of what you say and to whom, understanding intersectionality, realizing we all have triggers, and learning to recognize and respond to one's own triggers in a productive manner.

1. 2019
TRIGGERS
AND HOT
BUTTONS
North East Blcok
Gonzaga University

2. Trigger
A trigger is something that an
individual says or does or an
organizational policy or practice that
makes us, as members of social
groups feel diminished, offended,
threatened, stereotyped, discounted,
or attacked. Though we do not feel
personally threatened, our sense of
social justice feels violated.
Potential
Responses
Leave
Avoidance
Silence
Rationalization
Confusion
Shock

3. Resistence to
Emotionality and
Risk Taking
The following are some
ways that we resist feeling
emotion and taking risk
when talking about
identity, power, privilege,
oppression and
discrimination

4. MINIMIZE EXTENT OR EFFECT THAT OUR
IDENTITY HAS ON HOW WE ARE PERCEIVED
BY OTHERS
AVOID TALKING ABOUT OUR IDENTITIES OR
THE IDENTITIES OF OTHERS
OVER CAUTIOUS WHEN TALKING ABOUT OUR
EXPERIENCES
HIDING THE EMOTIONS THAT WE ARE FEELING
IN RESPONSE TO OUR EXPERIENCES,
WHETHER THAT IS HURT, ANGER, PAIN,
SADNESS, NAIVETE.
CALL IT SOMETHING ELSE…OR RATIONALIZE
OUR EXPERIENCES….
I’M SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT IT, SO
I DO NOT DEAL WITH THE EMOTION
THAT IT BRINGS UP.
I DO NOT SAY WHAT I AM REALLY FEELING
BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO OFFEND
SOMEONE OR SEEM IGNORANT.
IT HURTS TOO MUCH TO DEAL WITH IDENTITY
AND SYSTEMS OF OPPRESSIONS;
THEREFORE I WILL IGNORE MY EXPERIENCES
OR THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHERS.

5. Triggers cause an emotional
response. These emotions include
hurt, confusion, anger, fear, surprise,
or embarrassment. We respond to
triggers in a variety of ways, some
helpful and others not. Our guide in
developing a full repertoire of
responses to triggers is to take care of
ourselves and then decide how to
respond most effectively. Some of
these responses are effective and
some are not. What responses we
choose depend on our own inner
resources and the dynamics of the
situation.

6. How can we be aware of
our triggers and
conscientious of others'?
Be aware of
what you are
saying and
who you are
saying it to.
Understand
intersectionality
and how certain
things can
impact others
Realize that we all
have triggers and
the importance of
being courteous to
others lived
experience
Learn to recognize
what topics you are
sensative too and
work on responding
in a productive and
kind manner