From the Front Porch: Before You Judge, Read Twice

This weekend, I watched someone at the gas station get frustrated over a headline they skimmed off the tv. Loud sigh, quick opinion, off they went. And I couldn’t help but wonder—what would’ve happened if they’d read a different article heard another news channel? 

We’re living in a time where information is fast, but understanding takes time and fact-checking takes more than one source. Being a good citizen isn’t just about voting or paying taxes—it’s also about thinking critically. About deliberately asking: Is this the full story? Who wrote it? What might I be missing?

Growing up, we had a newspaper on the kitchen table most mornings. My mom and dad didn’t just read it—they studied it. They’d underline parts, point out something I missed, or ask me what I thought. It wasn’t about taking sides. It was about learning to listen.

Good citizenship means keeping your mind open, even when it’s easier to jump to conclusions. It means not writing someone off based on a sound bite, a rumor, or a bad first impression. People—like stories—deserve more than a headline.

So this week’s porch reflection is this:

What would our towns look like if we paused before reacting, read more than one source, and gave each other the benefit of the doubt?

Maybe being a good neighbor starts with being a better reader—of news, of people, of the world around us.