Fred Rogers: a case study in Power

One of the more impactful books I’ve ever read is Power vs Force by Dr. David Hawkins. Force is something that needs to be constantly defended and reinforced, while power comes from eternal truth, love and peace. Force requires laws, police, armies, threats and penalties. Power uses art, beauty, honesty and example. 

There’s been many famous examples in modern times of powerful people who have changed the world without secular authority, armies or personal wealth. Names like Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King Jr and Gandhi easily come to mind. But how about Fred Rogers? 

Watch as Mr. Rogers testifies in front of Senator Pastore, who is running the subcommittee to decide the fate of government funding for public television, and had just spent two days essentially “eye rolling” his way through every plea to keep funding for PBS. Within minutes Mr. Pastore transforms from mild contempt, to actual “goosebumps” and finally to a softened heart. 

Below is an excellent demonstration of the power of Mr. Rogers’s loving presence vs the force and authority of the senator’s agenda.

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