| Dear John,
When Mr. Rogers testified in 1969 to Senator John Pastore, he calmly and simply explained something that’s not simple at all — the impact a public media show can make in the lives of those it reaches. As we approach the birthday of Fred Rogers on March 20, we want to take some time to reflect on his lasting influence by inviting you to share your stories about the impact of public media in your life.
Though Mr. Rogers is known for children’s programming, he wasn’t oblivious to the "real world." He was aware that hardships encountered in childhood affected a person’s development. This understanding led to his commitment to ensuring everyone, regardless of their background, has access to quality education. He knew public media was a tool to reach as many people as possible without barriers to accessing the information, skills, creativity, comfort and joy his program could offer — a tool for good.
When Mr. Rogers was later inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame, he shared, “I feel that those of us in television are chosen to be servants. It doesn’t matter what our particular job is, we are chosen to help meet the deeper needs of those who watch and listen — day and night!” There are many examples from Mr. Rogers’ legacy that KQED strives to honor, but when we think about our mission, this quote sums it up beautifully. KQED is here to serve everyone.
Today, we’re at a very similar crossroads to 1969 — powerful people are threatening the legitimacy and funding of public media. One thing we know from Mr. Rogers is that when things feel overwhelming, it’s important to look for helpers. Help can look like a lot of things — from a hardy laugh you weren’t expecting on a sad day, to someone sharing something that helps you learn about yourself and the world around you.
Will you be one of our helpers? Tell us by sharing what KQED and public media mean to you!
We take our service to you seriously. We believe the path forward is to come together in the face of uncertainty and stand firm in our values. It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, and we’re glad to have a neighbor just like you. |
