Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, which Aired for 33 years and made Fred Rogers a Household Name for Generations, would be Canceled Today for his Views on Gender Identity

Mr. Rogers was known for his charm, love of children, and ability to connect with kids in a beautiful and simple way that children could relate to and understand. Every day for 33 years children of all ages turned on their televisions to see their favorite neighbor, Mister Rogers. He was friendly, sympathetic, and positive. He encouraged children to be happy and productive members of society, not like many of the children’s programming we see today.

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was an American children’s television program that was created by Fred Rogers, a Presbyterian minister. The show ran daily on television screens on PBS from 1968 to 2001, a total of 33 years. During this time, Fred Rogers created, composed and produced 895 episodes for his internationally acclaimed preschool television series. [1]

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was so popular and influential that Rogers received over 40 awards and honors including the President’s Distinguished Service Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Presidential Medal of Honor, Grammy Award, Emmy Award, Peabody Award, Hollywood Walk of Fame Star, Television Hall of Fame inductee and many others. [1]

Because Fred Rogers impacted the lives of so many, he received honorary degrees from over 43 colleges and universities. In 2019, a movie was made about his life and his television series called “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” with Hollywood actor Tom Hanks portraying him. When Mr. Rogers died in 2003, not only did the print and television media across the nation publish his obituary, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution honoring Fred Rogers. [1]

In other words, Fred Rogers was embraced by the world. Everyone wanted to be his neighbor. Unfortunately, our world has changed. And by today’s standards, Fred Rogers would be thrown out of every film, television, educational, professional and social circle for his views on gender. Notice what Fred Rogers, a national hero, said about gender in an interview in 1980.

At minute 6:31 we see the following:

Johnny Carson: “Did you ever discuss, we were discussing sex when we did the take off of your show, did you ever start, or are they too young for that?”

Fred Rogers: “That’s where they learn their differences.”

Johnny Carson: “How do you handle it? What do you do to explain? What’s the age range, you think, that watch the show?”

Fred Rogers: “Mostly preschoolers, but I hesitate to say that because there are many older people who …”

Johnny Carson: “Absolutely.”

Fred Rogers: “But there’s a song called Everybody’s Fancy, that I think some are fancy on the outside, and some are fancy on the inside. Everybody’s fancy, everybody’s fine, your body’s fancy, and so is mine. The second verse is very important.”

Johnny Carson: “What’s the second verse?”

Fred Rogers: “Boys are boys from the beginning, girls are girls right from the start. Everybody’s fancy, everybody’s fine, your body is fancy and so is mine. Because sometimes children think that they might change; they might have to change after a while, and you know, we laugh about that now, but it’s because we had that concern when we were little.”

Johnny Carson: “Yea, because you’re really not sure and you thought maybe you become a girl or a girl would become a boy, right“?

Fred Rogers: “Exactly.”

These words were expressed on national television. This was how our society used to think. If these words were spoken by Fred Rogers today, they would have sparked a firestorm in the television industry, and the beloved television icon would have been condemned and canceled. His 43 honorary degrees would be rescinded. His more than 40 awards would be revoked. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame would be removed.

In fact, by today’s standards, Fred Rogers would be considered a homophobe and a hatemonger. He would be labeled as scientifically incorrect and spreading misinformation. All of the love and respect that Fred Rogers inspired in previous generations would be rejected, destroyed, and demolished by today’s generation for stating the obvious. Simply speaking the truth about anatomy, biology, chromosomes, the ability to become pregnant, and science is now considered dehumanizing because we are told that we must consider personal feelings when determining whether a child is a boy or a girl.

Our world has changed, and this current generation has lost its way. Today, we see powerful institutions collaborating to effectively erase people from society who say things that are not politically correct. Whether it’s getting people fired or ostracized, the ultimate goal is the same. Today, those who speak the truth are accused, and in some cases prosecuted, of inciting discrimination, disparaging remarks, bullying, and hate speech. Jesus had to deal with the same “cancel culture” when He said:

“The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” John 7:7.

Sources

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Rogers