Recently, I was made aware of an interview on CBC Radio program Q (or q?). The subject of the interview was François Clemmons https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-50-q/clip/15790034-full-episode-francois-clemmons-dalton-higgins-iskwe-judy. He is best known for his role as Officer Clemmons on Mr. Roger’s Neighbourhood. I’m sure everyone one who was a fan of Mr. Rogers and everyone in his neighbourhood, will remember the wonderful cast of characters that were his neighbours which included of both species; human and puppet including; Mr. McFeely, Lady Aberlin, Mr. Anybody, Lady Elaine Fairchilde, and King Friday to name only a few. It was a wonderful cast of characters, including Officer Clemmons, and through them, Fred Rogers explored the world and all the complexities which many children found to be a rather strange and a sometimes (speaking from experience) fearful place.
Officer Clemmons stood out because he was
portraying a black police officer which is not so unusual these days, but definitely
the exception when he began playing the character. His role as Officer
Clemmons, which began in 1968, was the first recurring black character on a
children's T.V. show. Clemmons was accomplished in his own right
performing with the Metropolitan Opera and winning a Grammy. The host did
a great job of exploring the life and experience of Clemmons and it is well
worth getting to know a bit about this very interesting and accomplished
person.
Clemmons noted that Mr. Rogers Neighbourhood was
the place in his life where he absolutely felt loved and protected which, I
believe, was the universal experience of children who made up the loyal
following of the show.
What grabbed me and moved me the most from this
memorable life was Clemmons’ experience shortly after he joined the show. The
assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. had just happened and Clemmons was
devastated by the brutality and senselessness of the murder of one of his
heroes. Fred Rogers assured François that he would address this on the
show. When François read the script, he
thought it was a mistake. He told Fred Rogers that sometimes violence
must be met with violence and that was the only way to deal with people who
would do such a terrible thing. But it wasn’t a mistake. It was pure
Fred Rogers. In the scene, Mr. Rogers was sitting with his feet in
a basin of water and invited Officer Clemmons to join him, assuring him that he
would share his towel with Officer Clemmons. They share that basin with
the water washing over both their feet. The hatred and anger that
François was washed away – a model of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet in my
association.
Not everything about his experience on the show was
perfect of course. One incident he recounted was being told by Fred
Rogers that he could not portray an openly gay man on the show and even
suggested that François should marry a woman. This did not fit my picture
of Fred Rogers any more than the image held by the interviewer. However,
they were able to move beyond that and François reported that he understood the
need for it given the times and circumstances, and the reality of producing the
show. However, what shone through in that was the image of them sharing a
basin of water and the abiding love that was the basis of their relationship
that was deeper than can be truly understood.
I do believe that love is what binds the universe
together and will not be defeated by those forces that threaten to pull us and
the world apart.
Blessings on your journey
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