Prophetic Documenting
Verifying Your Sources
"Journalists often describe the essence of their work as finding and presenting "the facts" and also "the truth about the facts." - Walter Dean, American Press Institute
If there is one thing I did more than write when I was a journalist was verify sources. We were forced to check, double-check, triple-check, and check again to make sure a source was authentic. Then, if the managing editor wasn't satisfied we would be sent to re-verify our verification.
For every type of documentation presented (see the previous lesson), there is a verification process needed. I firmly believe that we have such an advantage in this hour as it relates to history. You see, more than any generation before us, we have the ability to be "intentional" about leaving a historical record - whether for our families or for the world at large.
As a result, we must understand this truth: "To leave the right historical legacy, we must make extra efforts to verify the information we are documenting. We must make every effort to ensure that that information is preserved and cataloged in the right places - whether its a family heirloom or an opportunity to contribute to the museum in our local city."
The point is this: Our endeavor demands that our projects go through rigorous verification processes.
Listen, this doesn't mean you need to have any usual skill. It does mean, however, that we need to be the kind of Sons of God that cares about detail, and accuracy a little more than the "average Joe." And, it means that we can learn to enjoy this part of the process also.
Verification means that documenters must be diligent, unyielding in establishing the truth, accuracy, and validity of their work.
So, when my sister told me that she was placed on quarantine after being exposed to the COVID-19 on the job I believed her. However, for my project her word was good enough for me but I needed at least two more references, minimum, to prove she was being placed on a 14-day quarantine at home by her employer. So, I needed to obtain my sister's word in a video interview (primary source), a copy of the official letter she received from her employer (primary source), proof that she took her test for COVID-19, an official copy of her results, and proof of her approval to return to work. These are all "artifacts" that verify my sister's testimony. Each artifact would contain information typed or sent to her on company letterhead with appropriate signatures that provide solid proof or evidence.
This is what verification looks like. One interview with my sister is good! But providing the supporting information to prove her testimony seals it. In the years to come, that artifact would more than likely mirror the stories of hundreds of people in her city at the time. A beautiful part of this story, in the midst of this tragedy, is that I would minimize arguments that this was "fake news." A secondary source would be personal journals from my sister describing her emotional journey from the time her exposure to the virus to taking measures to protect her family, to taking the test, awaiting the results, and receiving the results of the test.
Again, believing her story and witnessing her journey - as her sister - is powerful, but it is not the same as having the primary source established. I am a secondary source, telling her story -- who is sheltered in place in another city. While I may have my personal convos and relationship with my sister, I am not there as an eyewitness. The question I must ask is this: Can her story stand in history without my point of view? The answer should be yes.
You see, we have the opportunity to "SHAPE" the narrative we want to be told. The verifying of sources is the way to do this. If there's no paper trail, perhaps the next best route, in my situation, would be to get a group of three or more people who share the same experiences to give their perspective in separate or a group interview.
This verification would also include collecting their names, date of birth, employment history with that company, educational background as a nurse, etc. When you are unable to access one kind of information, it takes creativity to consider how to take other evidence - even if its secondary - to bear witness to the truth you are trying to tell. The thing about history is that every "part" plays a role. While certain documentation may not be available for your project, it could very well turn up in the project of someone else down the line -- totally validating the documentation you have.
Verifying sources to the best of our ability puts us in a position to be a part of history -- whether we are pleased or satisfied with what we find our not. Historical connections have been made like this for centuries!
Failing to verify our sources to the best of our ability - from where you are, could result in your contribution not being seen as credible. The hope of documentation is to position one's project as a primary source in of itself!
As you push through this course, and stay committed to your own process you will develop a unique skill set specific to the goals of your burden. Yes, I know verification seems like a difficult topic. However, it isn't. You can take one artifact at a time and verify it. There is no expectation to do all these things at once.
Don't allow yourself to get overwhelmed. Instead, make it an adventure! As we move further into the course -- I will identify different kinds of verification and show you what to look for in your process of documentation.
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