Tipsheet

National Archives Has a New Trigger Warning...Even for America's Founding Documents

Leah Barkoukis
Leah Barkoukis  |  September 09, 2021 7:00 AM

The National Archives Records Administration has placed a trigger warning all documents across its website, which includes the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence.

Viewers will now be met with a “harmful language alert" at the top of the page that links to its official statement on potentially harmful content. 

“NARA’s records span the history of the United States, and it is our charge to preserve and make available these historical records,” the statement says. “As a result, some of the materials presented here may reflect outdated, biased, offensive, and possibly violent views and opinions. In addition, some of the materials may relate to violent or graphic events and are preserved for their historical significance.”

NARA provides examples of what could be considered harmful content: 

  • reflect racist, sexist, ableist, misogynistic/misogynoir, and xenophobic opinions and attitudes;
  • be discriminatory towards or exclude diverse views on sexuality, gender, religion, and more;
  • include graphic content of historical events such as violent death, medical procedures, crime, wars/terrorist acts, natural disasters and more;
  • demonstrate bias and exclusion in institutional collecting and digitization policies.

When asked on Twitter why the trigger warning appeared on documents such as the Constitution, NARA said the “alert is not connected to any specific records, but appears at the top of the page while you are using the online Catalog.” 

Recommended

Here's a Liberal Policy That Now Has Bill Maher 'Incensed' Matt Vespa
There’s a Massive Pushback Brewing Against the Pro-Hamas Thugs Taking Over College Campuses Matt Vespa

That excuse didn't cut it for some.