Why We Turn to Mr. Rogers

"Here's the thing: Mister Rogers almost never taught us that we should be kind. There wasn't much should at all in the Neighborhood. The shoulds that did subtly emerge were more like suggestions. "You might consider sharing who you are through the arts. May I suggest that you find ways to express your feelings? May I remind you, once more, that those expressions don't have to hurt you or anyone else?" Most of all, more than kindness (which he rarely talked about), more than self-expression and feelings (which he talked about all the time), he told us one thing again and again: "You are lovable." He didn't usually say it quite like that. Instead, he said, "I like you just the way you are," or "There's only one person in the world like you," or "You've made this day a special day for me by just your being you." And he sang it, too."

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