Mr. Rogers, American Folk Hero
It's you we like
Happy birthday to the man many call a good friend and neighbor. An ordained minister who many relied on for advice. A musician and composer who understood that there are many modulations of life, some easy and some not so easy. A man who had a singular view on love and kindness: Love thy neighbor and love thyself. Please join us in a big Happy 98th Birthday, to Mr. Fred Rogers.
In a span of just over a decade, Fred moved to New York to work at the NBC television studios, moved back to Pittsburgh to be a program developer at WQED and went to the seminary becoming a minister. But serving his community just wasn’t enough for him. So Rogers attended the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Child Development. Why stop there? In 1963, the CBC in Toronto contracted Rogers to develop a children’s show called Mister Rogers; Fred then acquired the rights in 1967, and returned home to Pittsburgh to start his big, new project. Phew.
On February 19, 1968, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood was introduced to the world. What a beautiful day in the neighborhood that was. Every episode began the same way. You remember: Fred would enter his house, switch his jacket for a comfortable sweater, change from loafers to tennis shoes, and he would feed his fish. All while singing the very familiar theme song, “It’s A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood”.
However, in 1969, public broadcasting funding was on the line. $20 million to be exact. The fate of the show was in the hands of congressman John Pastor. Mr. Pastor held congressional hearings where the American people who worked in various forms in public broadcasting sought to woo the congressman to continue funding. After two days, John was not moved by anything he had heard. However, Fred did his homework and knew that ole Johnny boy was very serious when it came to what television children consumed. So when Fred took the stand, he quoted his song, “What Do You Do With The Mad That You Feel?” John Pastor broke into a smile and said “That’s just wonderful. That’s just wonderful. I believe you just earned yourself $20 million dollars.”
What do you do with the mad that you feel
When you feel so mad you could bite?
When the whole wide world seems oh, so wrong...
And nothing you do seems very right?
Fred quickly became a friend to all and a shinning light for children navigating through the difficult darker things in life. He felt he was the best person to do the job because he still felt so close to his own childhood as he spent a majority of it isolated due to a few illnesses. As a boy, Fred was shy and spent most of his time with his grandfather. In that time he found his love for puppets, started piano lessons, and let his imagination grow.
With his wonderful imagination we came to know and love, Fred helped children through confidence and creativity to tackle topics such as fear, sadness, divorce and death. Suddenly that lonely boy wasn’t alone anymore. He had friends and neighbors to help him along the way, like Mr. & Mrs. McFeely and Officer Clemmons. But let’s not forget our friends in the Neighborhood of Make Believe like Daniel Striped Tiger, King Friday XIII, Lady Elaine Fairchilde, Queen Sara Saturday, and X the Owl.
Fred worked tirelessly for the next three decades, becoming beloved by all. He retired in the 90s to live a quiet life, but after September 11th, Fred was called upon once more to make several television PSAs that would help reassure his young audience. This is when he famously said “Always look for the helpers.”, a quote often used when there is repeated violence in the news cycles. But it’s a message often taken out of context, mostly by his adult audience. Yes, go and look for the helpers, but turn inwards and become the helper. The neighborhood would be a much better place if we took our turn to be the helper.
So from the Team Downstairs, Happy Birthday, Fred. We like you just the way you are.