Showing results for "The Mister" in Americas

How does a white kid from the New York suburbs, harmonica in hand, end up earning himself a busker's spot on the Harlem sidewalks next to Mr. Satan, a Mississippi-born legend? How did an interracial blues duo fare on the streets of New York during a turbulent, fractious time marked by racially-motivated murders in Howard Beach, Bensonhurst, and Crown Heights?

In an age where even the motives of Gandhi and Mother Teresa are questioned by the cynical and they are at times vilified as “frauds,” one would be hard-pressed to find a rational argument against the untouchable character of Mister Rogers. When one does happen upon such an abnormality, the public is quick to defend the gentle soul. “It takes a special kind of scum to hate Mister Rogers,” reads the top comment on the aforementioned video, posted by user Sergei Ivanovich Mosin. The video has been picked apart by multiple journalists from the likes of Huffington Post.

Mister Rogers was more than just a puppeteer, a teacher, or an entertainer, though he was all those things; he was also a trusted friend and adviser. Rogers spoke personably with kids and helped them identify and organize their emotions. He explained how to deal with anger in simple, relatable terms and sang songs to help his guests and viewers cope with their feelings. He told generations of young people that it was okay to cry and show emotion, since these are feelings every person experiences.