You Are Special: Mr. Rogers Says So

My husband and I recently watched Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, a highly acclaimed documentary about Fred Rogers and his long running public television show, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.  I have childhood memories of watching the show, but they are pretty vague. As a child, I did not realize what Mr. Rogers was trying to teach me. I only saw the show as entertainment. One thing that stood out to me while watching the film was how much Mr. Rogers wanted children to know they were valued and important. Mr. Rogers and his show have been the subject of many books, films, and even some pretty funny parodies. I find his simple, direct messages to be inspiring. Whether or not you watched Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood as a child, you can still learn some important things from Fred Rogers.

Who Was Fred Rogers?

You might know Mr. Rogers best as a children’s television host. But did you know that his famous program, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood ran for over 30 years? Generations of children grew up watching him. Did you know that he successfully spoke before the U.S. Congress to ensure funding for public television? Fred Rogers was also an ordained Presbyterian minister, a husband, father, and so much more. He was the creator and host all 895 episodes of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. He wrote most of the songs used in the program (over 200 of them), created and voiced all the puppets, and wrote and produced much of the show’s content.

In today’s crazy world of reality television and the importance of physical image above all else, Fred Rogers might seem like a quaint reminder of yesteryear. Maybe the movie resonated with me because of the nostalgia I feel when watching those old episodes. But I don’t think that’s the case. I think it speaks to me because Fred Rogers spoke to children and adults in a sincere, heartfelt, and direct manner. He was a champion for children, but what he tried to teach them is equally valuable for adults to learn.

31 Seasons in the Neighborhood

Mr. Rogers disliked the way children’s programs spoke to kids and wanted to make something better. He spoke directly to his audience using a slow, clear voice. His program championed the idea that everyone is important and has value simply by being themselves. He often spoke about common, daily happenings such as going to school, visiting a factory and seeing how things are made, and visiting with neighborhood people such as police officers and postal carriers. He believed in being himself and said that “One of the greatest gifts you can give anybody is the gift of your honest self. I also believe that kids can spot a phony a mile away.”

Mr. Rogers was not afraid to tackle some difficult issues. He talked about the assassination of  Robert F. Kennedy in one of his early episodes, explaining in a simple way to his young audience what happened and why people were so upset. He also talked about racism, divorce, people with disabilities, and violence in our communities. In another early episode, he shared a foot soak in a kiddie pool with Officer Clemmons on a hot day. They both cooled off by dipping their feet in the pool and Mr. Rogers shared his towel with the African American policeman. It was a subtle, yet very firm act of inclusion at a time when African Americans were often banned from public pools and racial segregation was common across the U.S. It was something that had not happened in television before, much less on a children’s program.

Mr. Rogers Taught Me Important Things

Interestingly, I do not remember Mr. Roger’s teaching me about any of these difficult issues as a child. I just remember him as a friendly man who liked to sing, shares stories, and believed in the Land of Make Believe. As an adult, I realize the importance of what he was teaching. As a child, I just enjoyed the show. That’s not to say he didn’t teach me important things. He just did it in a way that seemed normal and natural.

The ideas he espoused in his shows and in his many public appearances still speak volumes today. He was an advocate for education and the rights of children.  He truly believed in making the world a better place and spoke about the importance of kindness, being a good neighbor, and appreciating people for who they are instead of who we think they should be.

 

8  Pieces of Wisdom From Mr. Rogers

Fred Rogers wasn’t just a television personality. He was a kind, thoughtful, and well-spoken man who shared his wisdom with adults as well as children. While researching this article, I found some new quotes to add to my ever growing collection.  As someone who has walked this planet for nearly 50 years, I still find comfort and inspiration in the words of a children’s television host. I think that says less about me and more about who Mr. Rogers was. Here are eight of my favorite quotes.

 

1. Love people as they are.

 

 

2. Just be kind

 

3. You are important just the way you are

 

4. Look for the helpers

 

 

 
 

5. You make the world a special place by being yourself

 

 

 

6.  Our differences are infinitesimal

 

 

7.  It’s not what we have that matters

 

8. Love is a struggle

 

If you’d like some more inspiration from Mr. Rogers, I recommend watching Won’t You Be My Neighbor? You can order it through the link provided. See disclosure page for affiliate link details. The film is sweet, funny, interesting, and informative.  It is not just a fluffy homage to Fred Rogers, but looks at him quirks and all. It has a rating of 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 5 stars on Amazon, so I’m not the only one who recommends this beautiful film.  Mr. Rogers was one of a kind and his story is entertaining and inspiring. Check it out or maybe share it over the holidays with people you care about.

If you’d like to learn more about Fred Rogers, check out this amazing website: www.misterrogers.org. You can learn more about his program including the puppets and Land of Make Believe, the other cast members and characters, the music, and the many special guests he entertained over the years. You can can also learn more about Fred Rogers himself.

As always, thanks for taking the time to read and please share using the social media buttons provided. Sharing is caring!