Shafiqah Hudson: The Twitter Activist Who Fought Disinformation and Paid a Heavy Price
In early June of 2014, Shafiqah Hudson stumbled upon a bizarre hashtag on Twitter: #EndFathersDay. The hashtag, supposedly championed by Black feminists with questionable usernames, aimed to abolish Father’s Day, citing it as a symbol of patriarchy and oppression. Recognizing it as a hoax orchestrated by trolls, Hudson took matters into her own hands.
Creating the hashtag #YourSlipIsShowing, Hudson rallied her Twitter community to expose and block the fake accounts behind #EndFathersDay. Despite Twitter’s lack of response, their efforts effectively silenced the disinformation campaign within weeks. Little did they know, this was just the beginning of a larger battle against threats to democracy.
As the years passed, Hudson continued to call out fake accounts and disinformation campaigns, becoming a beacon of truth in a sea of online deception. However, her dedication to combating misinformation came at a cost. Struggling with health issues, including long Covid and a recent cancer diagnosis, Hudson found herself in dire need of financial support for her care.
On February 15, 2024, Shafiqah Hudson passed away at the age of 46 in Portland, Oregon. Despite her impactful work in the realm of online activism, she never received proper compensation from the tech companies she fought against. Her death sparked outrage among her followers, who lamented the lack of recognition and support she received during her lifetime.
Hudson’s legacy lives on through the community she built and the battles she fought. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by activists in the digital age and the importance of supporting those who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of truth.
