I was recently in a classroom discussion about the use of force by police officers. The discussion was sparked by a recent news story about a police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black man. I was immediately triggered by the discussion. I felt angry and frustrated, and I felt like I needed to defend the black community. I started to argue with the other students in the discussion, and I ended up saying some things that I later regretted.

I think I reacted the way I did because of my own personal experiences with racism. I have been the victim of racism on several occasions, and I have seen racism firsthand in my community. I am also passionate about social justice, and I believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

I know that my reaction to the classroom discussion was not helpful. It did not contribute to the discussion, and it made me feel worse in the end. I also know that my reaction could get in the way of working with particular clients or colleagues in the future. If I am working with a client who has been the victim of racism, I need to be able to control my emotions and remain objective. I also need to be able to understand the client’s perspective and to help them to heal from their experiences.

In order to address my reaction surrounding the trigger in the future, I need to do a few things. First, I need to be more aware of my triggers. I need to know what topics or words are likely to trigger me, and I need to be prepared to deal with my emotions in a healthy way. Second, I need to develop coping mechanisms for dealing with my triggers. This could involve things like deep breathing, meditation, or journaling. Finally, I need to be open to talking about my triggers with others. This could involve talking to a therapist, a friend, or a family member.

I know that I will never be able to completely eliminate my triggers. However, I believe that I can learn to manage my reactions to them in a healthy way. By being more aware of my triggers, developing coping mechanisms, and being open to talking about them, I can become a more effective social worker and a more compassionate human being.

In addition to the steps that I have already mentioned, I think it is also important to be mindful of the language that we use when discussing these topics. Words can be very powerful, and they can trigger negative emotions in people who have been through trauma. It is important to be respectful of everyone’s experiences, and to use language that is inclusive and non-judgmental.

I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on my personal reaction to this classroom discussion. I believe that it has helped me to better understand myself and my triggers. I am also committed to learning more about racism and social justice, so that I can be a more effective advocate for change.