“ Won ’ t You Be My Neighbor ?” Trustees Prize Essay on Christian Doctrine by Amerson L .
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“ Won ’ t You Be My Neighbor ?” Trustees Prize Essay on Christian Doctrine by Amerson L .
“ I went into television because I hated it so ,” said Fred Rogers during an interview with CNN , “ and I thought there was some way of using this fabulous instrument to be of nurture to those who would watch and listen ” (“ Fred Rogers ,” PBS ). Rogers ’ unique view on television allowed him to significantly change the lives of countless viewers . Throughout his career , he shared how important it is to “ Love your neighbor as yourself ” ( New International Bible , Matt . 22:39 ). These words , which Jesus shared with his followers in the book of Matthew , state that we should love the ones around us as much as we would like to be loved . Fred Rogers followed this principle in his actions and his words , preaching this message to his viewers . To be an agent for the good , one must spread kindness wherever they go , just like Mr . Rogers , the TV personality who hosted his own show called “ Mr . Rogers ’ Neighborhood ,” which was broadcasted from 1968 to 2001 from Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . Due to Fred Rogers ’ passion to change television by starting a career around children ’ s TV , creating a unique structure to his show and teaching his young viewers valuable life lessons , he manifested what it means to be an agent for the good .
Fred Rogers ’ early life was filled with lessons and virtues , and later in his life , he used his experiences to spread positivity to his viewers . He was born on March 20 , 1928 , in Latrobe , Pennsylvania , as an older brother to his adopted sister (“ Fred Rogers ,” Biography Today ). He had a wealthy family that supported and aided poorer ones that were hit hard by the Great Depression (“ Fred Rogers ,” Biography Today ). At the time , his grandfather was his closest relative , and he instilled in Rogers the idea of being genuine : “ You
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