Yes, I agree with you: there is definitely a snowflake culture. But some people, including my husband, come by this sensitivity more naturally. He was brought up to be tough, and it did nothing to lessen his natural sensitivity. He has also always been involved in social justice, as a clergyman and as a writer. He never shied away from historical realities, but he had to read and watch materials that did not trigger his intense reactions to graphic violence (he can handle Schindler’s List, but not Mudbound); it’s more about how the material is presented than its content.

This is why I was careful about what I taught graphic texts to adolescents in my English classes. Some people can react strongly to certain texts and are then turned off learning about historical atrocities. Not teaching one novel by one writer does not constitute whitewashing history. And I would always tell my students about Toni Morrison and encourage them to choose her for their independent reading assignments. Without a doubt, she is one of the great writers of the 20th century.

As I point out in my article, there are many novels and films that offer a realistic look at history without triggering extra-sensitive students, whether their sensitivities are natural or induced by an overprotective culture.

Thanks for responding.