Since 2018, CFHJ has held a crucial space for communication professionals to push the envelope, decenter whiteness, and revamp traditional health communications through mediums of social media. One of those mediums was Twitter.
With the future of Twitter unclear, here’s a recap of a few of CFHJ’s most significant #Twitter tweets.
#FreeGrace
In May 2020 a 15-year-old Black sophomore, identified as “Grace,” from Beverly Hills, Michigan was incarcerated at a juvenile detention center for failure to complete her homework during virtual school.
CFHJ used its platform to highlight the connection between #educationinequity and justice for Black girls, which we deem a #healthcomm, public health issue.
#OurHealthMatters
In August 2020, CFHJ’s #OurHealthMatters twitter forum pointed out the severe #healthcommunication gap in addressing the health needs of Black womxn and girls.
#OnlineCampaigns
Though not our best-named campaign, #BadTermsBeGone was one of the first online #healthcomm campaigns to address language bias. Our #ReThinkHealthComm campaign is ongoing and calls for a deeper analysis of who is doing #healthcommunication and how it’s done. And both campaigns are the impetus behind our annual racial diversity in #healthcomm report!
#Tweetchats
In 2019, the first introduction of CFHJ to Twitter began with the ever-popular #twitterchat! In 2020, tweet chats reached heightened use due to the pandemic and the need for quick, reliable information. Salud America was one of the first partners of CFHJ, and we have been fortunate to continue blossoming because of it!
And many more #tweetchats followed! Here are two others focused on #gunviolence prevention and #mentalhealthequity. #healthcomm
#LiveTweeting
CFHJ used Twitter to “live stream” prescheduled #healthcommunication events, like 2020’s “Evening Screenings,” and the first 2022 “History of Health Justice Activism” session.
#CallingPeopleOut
Sometimes, calling people out online is necessary. It helps to get people talking about needed change, which is one way that CFHJ has grown over time. In July 2020, by making noise, CFHJ helped get a stereotypical infographic for #COVID19 prevention removed from #Twitter and other platforms.
#CallingPeopleIn
And then there are other times where calling people in is the way to go. Exhibit A, when CFHJ helped another #healthcomm org with their posting strategy online. (To this day, don’t use the term “Blacks.”🙃)
So going forward (if Twitter does fall apart), how will YOU continue to communicate for health justice?