Fred “Mr.” Rogers, whose beloved television show taught children the many ways to love one’s neighbor as oneself, delivered a message in a 1999 award acceptance speech that is as relevant today as ever. When he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, he underscored the impact television has on children, noting that what children see on TV will influence the choices they make, and even their perception of Life.
“Life isn’t cheap,” he told the audience. “It’s the greatest mystery of any millennium. And television needs to do all it can to broadcast that, to show and tell what the good in life is all about. But how do we make goodness attractive? By doing whatever we can to bring courage to those whose lives move near our own.” Rogers concluded by noting that television offers individuals “the choice of encouraging others to demean this life or to cherish it in creative and imaginative ways.”
Mr. Rogers dedicated his life and work to child development, and his guiding principle was, “Children are to be respected.” This simple belief shaped the way Rogers approached his time teaching and interacting with both children and parents.
A devout Christian, Mr. Rogers shared his deep faith through his actions. And that integrity of Life is what he sought to teach everyone he encountered, encouraging others to treat “our neighbor at least as well as we treat ourselves, and allowing that to inform everything that we produce.”
Fred Rogers died in 2003, but his legacy is cherished by many. Read about his life and work at www.fredrogers.org/fred-rogers/bio.
Editor’s note. This appeared at www.texasrighttolife.com/a/1889/Mr-Rogers-timeless-message-choose-to-spend-your-time-cherishing-Life#.VmhrItIrJko
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
