I remember my mother plotting me down in front of the television to watch this show, along with Sesame Street. And you know what? I'm glad she did! I hardly spoke any English at the age of 6 and 7, and I attribute these shows to helping me become a Spelling Bee contestant and winner as I went from grade to grade. I had 12th grade spelling by the time I was in 5th or 6th.
Rogers, educated as a minister, was displeased with the way television was addressing children, and he made every effort to change this over his career, and he did. During the Nixon Administration, the president wanted to cut funding to the Public Broadcasting Service, and Mr. Rogers was having none of it.
He went directly to the Senate offices in 1969 and spoke for 6 minutes of what was supposed to be a 20 minute speech, and got $20 million dollars for it. One of the senators, Sen. John Pastore, a Democrat from Rhode Island (the same man who had led a crusade against the impropriety of commercial broadcast network TV content - wasn't exactly inclined to approve the funding.) went so far as to say, "I'm supposed to a pretty tough guy, and this is the first time I've had goosebumps for the last 2 days."The story only gets so much better, but you have to see the video to see, hear and feel what I'm talking about. It's pretty darn emotional -- pretty darn amazing. I love you, Mr. Rogers. You have made a difference in my life, and I thank God for you.
6 comments:
Well...Peter my friend you continue to make my days a little brighter and you give me hope when I feel there is none. Thank you Peter for finding these wonderful pieces of absolute HOPE and kindness and education that pulls us back from the daily input of murder, sex, hate, hopelessness, disappointment, shame, and all the other things that the news though out this poor old world confronts us with every day. I loved Mr. Rogers and it was so wonderful to spend a few moments with him again. Thank you what a different place our world and our communities would be if our kids turned on to him or someone like him every morning instead of the garbage that they bombarded with before they start their day. Keep up the good works Peter, you are needed and you are truly appreciated.
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Awww, Jessie, that was so sweet of you to say. You made me tear up. I try to post something for everyone, and while many may disagree with my political views, gay rights, or my undying love for the man I call a trick of fate, "love" is the key to everything in our lives. As long as you can love a mother, a child, a father, a husband, a wife, a democrat, a republican, and so forth, you will always make a difference in someone's life. Regardless of how this world turns, you hold the key that makes this world turn. Never throw it away, because the moment the key is gone, hate will take its place. That is not you, that is not me.
I remember Mr. Rodgers, and Sesame Street too! Loved those shows, & learned something at the same time too!!
What a great man he was. I remember watching him too, hearing his kind and caring words, and singing "Welcome to My Neighborhood" with him everyday. I remember the puppets and all his many sweaters, but most of all I remember how I felt when he said those very words he said in the video above: There's no person in the world like you, and I like you just the way you are. I felt loved. Yes, of course I knew how much my parents loved me, but considering that I've always felt like nothing, even at an early age, it was unbelievable to hear such kind and heartfelt words everyday from this stranger that didn't even know me, and still make me feel like someone special that meant something. With so much hate in this world of ours, we truly need another Mr. Rogers to be there for kids that just want to feel love no matter who they are. Thank you, Mr. Rogers, for helping me early in life as you have helped so many others.
simply beautiful my love, simply beautiful. brought me to tears as I read it. I love you so much. And you're right, I wish there was another Mr. Rogers around.
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