Sources Say by Lori Goldstein

Author:Lori Goldstein [Goldstein, Lori]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2020-09-08T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Accountability,” Ms. Lute said. “That’s been bandied about in this student council election by both of your candidates. Let’s take a closer look at that today but with respect to this.”

The screen on the projector flashed to the home page for The Shrieking Violet. The headline: “Voters, Be Warned! Track Record Shows Quinn Betrays 100% of HS Boyfreinds: You Could Be Next.”

“Hilarious,” Josh Baker said.

“Gets my attention,” from someone else.

Tad slapped the top of his desk. “Spot on.”

Silence followed, broken by Sonya. “Typo aside, it’s technically true, but without context, it’s not the whole story.”

Angeline gave her a grateful smile.

In her front-row seat, Emmie raised her hand. “It challenges us.”

Angeline jerked her head. “In what? Our ability to spot typos and the lack of actual facts?”

“Maybe,” Emmie said. “Or maybe in how we have a responsibility too.”

Ms. Lute smiled. “I like this, Emmie, continue, please. Responsibility for what?”

Emmie rested a finger on her ratty friendship bracelet. “At leadership camp, we’re taught that when we enter positions of authority, we have a responsibility to be honest and accurate. Because those who hold higher positions are automatically perceived as more trustworthy. There’s a bias toward those in charge, that they should be believed.”

“Meaning political leaders?”

“Political, corporate, the media, all of it. Authority commands an inherent level of buy-in for a lot of people.”

Leo leaned forward. “Which is why it matters when they lie. Everybody wants to be somebody. No matter the fallout.” Angeline’s body tensed, but then he turned to her and said, “But the problem with lies and exaggerated truths is that sometimes people follow because they’re too weak to trust themselves. We’re all responsible at some point, for something. For not questioning or for not standing up or for taking the easy way out.”

“Essentially, being accountable,” Ms. Lute said. “Whether it’s your student council election or the national one, whether it’s The New York Times or the local TV news, Twitter or Facebook, or whatever’s to come, the question is what responsibility do not only purveyors of information have but also consumers? Especially now, when social media gives a platform to anyone who seeks it. An anonymous platform, if they wish, like The Shrieking Violet. What responsibility do we have when we don’t have a face or a name to hold someone accountable?”

Ms. Lute clasped her hands around the projector remote and looked out at the class.

“So . . . are you going to tell us?” Josh said. “What responsibility do we have?”

Ms. Lute flicked off the projector. “I’ve said it before. My job is to teach. But some things you have to learn and decide for yourself.”

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