February 27, 2003
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My sister was the big Mr Rogers fan, not me. I really only liked the speedy delivery dude and the makebelieve parts. Mr R. himself kinda wigged me, though I did like some of the songs.
On the other hand, as an adut, I have really had an appreciation for Fred Rogers, the guy. The guy beyond the whole shoe-removal thing.
I don't really know if he was a progressive, per se, but he was certainly an advocate for children, for diversity, for respect and non violence. Some quotes to back me up here:
He understood that the airwaves belong to the people:
"We have to remember to whom the airwaves belong, and we must
put as much emphasis on the nurturing of the human personality
as we can"
Fred on non violence and children:
"Of course, I get angry. Of course, I get sad. I have a full range of emotions. I also have a whole smorgasbord of ways of dealing with my feelings. That is what we should give children. Give them ... ways to express their rage without hurting themselves or somebody else. That's what the world needs."
Fred on diversity of appearance:
"You know, you don't have to look like everybody else to be acceptable and to feel acceptable."
Fred on taking responsibility in your community and the world:
"We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say 'It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.' Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes."
Thanks Fred. I hope I can learn a little something from you, after all, about loving myself, being kind to others, and taking responsibility. You were much cooler than I thought. I bet you believed in Heaven, too, so I hope it's really nice there.
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On a completely different topic, I want to support MADRE. They send medicine (like life saving cancer drugs) and milk to children in Iraq. Maybe we should do a fundraiser?
Sheesh. In my gd spare time.
Comments (1)
Mr. Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister. Here's what he said about his ministry: "We all long to be lovable and capable of loving, and whatever we can do through the Neighborhood or anything else to reflect that and to encourage people to be in touch with that, then I think that's our ministry."
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