Mr. Rogers shaped generations through PBS and still impacts our kids today – why we must protect his legacy now more than ever.
I still remember the soft piano music, the way he calmly walked through the door, took off his coat, and put on that cozy cardigan. Mr. Rogers was part of my childhood, just like peanut butter sandwiches and sidewalk chalk. And now, here I am, a mom with a little boy of my own who watches PBS every single day. The same network that once shaped my own view of the world is now shaping his. And let me tell you, it means something. It means a lot. That’s why hearing about the government wanting to defund PBS made my blood boil.
I’m not usually one to rant online, but this one hit me in a way I didn’t expect. Because this isn’t just about a TV network. It’s about preserving something good in a world that feels like it’s losing more of that every day.
PBS has always been different. It’s not flashy. It’s not loud. It’s not trying to sell your kids a bunch of plastic junk. It’s slow, gentle, thoughtful and so needed. It’s like the TV equivalent of a warm hug from someone who truly cares. Mr. Rogers didn’t yell. He didn’t talk down to us. He talked to us. He saw children not as little problems to entertain, but as full human beings who deserved respect and attention. And honestly, that kind of respect is hard to find in children’s programming today.
I look at what’s on TV these days, so many shows move at lightning speed, throw in weird slang, loud sound effects, wild characters. It’s sensory overload. And it’s exhausting. But PBS? It’s still holding the line. It’s still calm. It’s still intentional. And it still carries the soul of Mr. Rogers.
My son plays the PBS Kids games on the tablet. He watches _Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood_, which, yes, for those who don’t know, is literally based on Mr. Rogers’ legacy. Daniel sings songs that help kids understand their feelings. Simple stuff like “When you feel so mad that you want to roar… take a deep breath and count to four.” It sounds silly, but it works. It works when my now 5 year old is melting down in the car. It works when he’s sad because his block tower fell. These aren’t just songs. They’re tools. And they’re gentle ones.
I don’t know why anyone would want to take funding away from something like that. Something that’s still trying to do good in the world- not for profit, but because it’s the right thing to do. Mr. Rogers stood for kindness, empathy, and understanding. He believed every child mattered. He said it over and over again:
“I like you just the way you are.”
That sentence right there? It shaped me. And I want it to shape my children, too.
And you know what’s wild? This isn’t even the first time Mr. Rogers had to stand up and fight for PBS. Back in 1969, the government was planning to slash funding, and Mr. Rogers went straight to Congress. He sat in front of a Senate committee, looked those serious men in the eye, and spoke from the heart. No yelling, no politics. just truth. He talked about how children’s emotional needs were being ignored, and how his show gave them tools to handle their feelings. It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t flashy. But it was powerful. By the time he finished speaking, the chairman literally said, “I think it’s wonderful. Looks like you just earned the $20 million.” That’s the kind of quiet strength this world could use more of.
You can watch Mr.Roger and his testimony Here
Video credit: Courtesy of Fred Rogers Productions and PBS via YouTube.
I think about all the families out there who don’t have streaming subscriptions or endless content options. PBS is free. It’s accessible. It reaches families that need it most. For some kids, PBS might be the only gentle, educational content they get. Defunding it means taking away one of the last safe spaces on television for kids. And that breaks my heart.
I know there are bigger political debates and budgets and complicated conversations happening behind the scenes. But I also know that some things are too valuable to lose. Mr. Rogers didn’t just make good television. He built a foundation that still supports kids emotionally, socially, and mentally. His legacy lives in every episode of Daniel Tiger, in every parent who sings one of those sweet little songs to soothe a child, in every message that tells a kid,
“You are safe. You are seen. You matter.”
So no, this isn’t just about PBS. It’s about protecting something sacred. Something that still whispers calm into our chaotic world. Something that’s worth fighting for – not just for nostalgia, but for the next generation.
I’m raising my son on PBS. And I’m not giving up on it without a fight.
If you believe in keeping PBS alive for our kids and future generations, please take a moment to sign the petition here: https://protectmypublicmedia.org/rsc-emails – your voice truly matters.
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