Read on Twitter
Thank you to my @UVA, @UVASON, and @uvamedicine colleagues who have been speaking out loudly, clearly, and consistently on Twitter over the past year (and long before that) about the ways in which politics, policy, racism, and health are inextricably intertwined.
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For my colleagues at UVA who *haven't* dipped their toe into using Twitter to speak truth to power, here are a few tips for getting started.
1. Decide what kind of world you want to live in.
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1. Decide what kind of world you want to live in.
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2. Decide whether you're willing to say hard truths out loud, in public, even if that means the people you work with -- or for -- may not like what you have to say.
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3. Figure out the legal boundaries of the lane in which you swim professionally. What can and can't you say on Twitter because of your code of ethics? your license? UVA's social media policy?
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Knowing the boundaries of your swim lane is important so that you can make an informed decision about whether you're going to swim inside those boundaries or not.
I'm very careful about staying inside those boundaries on Twitter but that's just me.
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I'm very careful about staying inside those boundaries on Twitter but that's just me.
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Staying inside the boundaries of UVA's social media policy isn't hard:
Make it clear in your profile that you don't speak for UVA.
Don't put "UVA" in your username.
Read the policy and make sure you understand what you can and can't do: https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/docs/default-source/hrpolicy/pol175useofinternet.pdf
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Make it clear in your profile that you don't speak for UVA.
Don't put "UVA" in your username.
Read the policy and make sure you understand what you can and can't do: https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/docs/default-source/hrpolicy/pol175useofinternet.pdf
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4. If you're new to speaking out on Twitter, do some serious reflecting first. Do you have the range to speak on a particular topic? How will you handle nasty comments from people who disagree with you?
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As part of that reflection process, think about how you will handle comments from people calling you in (or out) about your racism, homophobia, sexism, etc.
People on Twitter WILL call you in (or out). Are you ready to listen and learn when that happens?
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People on Twitter WILL call you in (or out). Are you ready to listen and learn when that happens?
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5. If you're ready to engage with people on Twitter AND you're prepared to listen and learn when you f*ck up, tweet about issues that matter to you. Tweet loudly and clearly and courageously. Amplify (RT) the voices of those who are already speaking truth to power.
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