Mister Rogers

 During the first presidential debate on Oct. 3, former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney said, “I'm going to stop the subsidy to PBS.” Back in 1969, President Nixon purposed a similar cut. 

Upon hearing Nixon’s proposal, the late Fred Rogers, host and writer for the beloved Public Broadcasting Station’s television show, Mister Rogers Neighborhood, felt compelled to address the issue. 

This video has now resurfaced after Romney’s remarks. And, upon watching this video, I was able to reminisce on my childhood, and the role PBS played in it. 

 In the video Rogers says; “I’m very much concerned, as I know you are, about what’s being delivered to our children in this country.”

He says; “I feel like if we, in public television, can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we would have done a great service for mental health.” 

He says; “I think that it’s much more dramatic that two men could be working out their feelings of anger, much more dramatic than showing something of gun fire.”

 After listening to what Rogers had to say, I realized the effect PBS has had on my life, and the lives of many other children. 

 I realized the safe learning environment it provided from me, and many other children, away from violent cartoons like Billy and Mandy or Courage the Cowardly Dog, that show is just creepy. It is also an escape away from constant commercials vying for our attention. 

I realized the important role shows like Barney played in my childhood. It gave me my love for music. And yes, I’ll admit it, I was  Barney’s biggest fan.  

 I realized the important lessons Mister Rogers taught to the thousands of kids watching him on TV. Rogers taught “a meaningful expression of care.”

Anyone that watched Mister Rogers Neighborhood can recall the way he ended his program every day. He would look directly into the camera with his gentle eyes and said, “you’ve made this day a special day, by just your being you, there’s no person in the whole world like you, and I like you just the way you are.”

Rogers is no longer alive, but if he was, I know he would address this issue again, with the same warmth and grace as he did before. So in honor of Mister Rogers, I will address it for him. 

Television shows like Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Big Comfy Couch, Barney, and Arthur have played a major role in thousands of children's lives. 

 Not only that, but it provides a learning resource for elementary school teachers. Shows like Magic School Bus and Reading Rainbow, that make learning fun for kids, are still being shown today in classrooms. 

 PBS fosters an environment where children can learn and grow without being interrupted by the media. They don’t show commercials about Nerf Guns or cereal full of high-fructose corn syrup. 

By cutting PBS, the generations of kids who will not have the opportunity to experience shows like Mister Rogers Neighborhood are going to miss out on a huge learning opportunity, one that I still value to this day. 

So Mr. Romney, if you are elected president, please don’t cut PBS. It is worth the money, simply because it creates a learning environment that not only deals with academics, but also the emotional struggles of a child. 

From the teachings of Mister Rogers, I leave you with this; “What a good feeling to feel like this, and know that the feeling is really mine, know that there’s something deep inside that helps us become what we can, for a girl can be someday a lady and a boy can be someday a man.”