Francois Clemens, AKA Officer Clemens: An Interview

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Edward Hessler

Franciois Clemmons, better known to many of us as Officer Clemmons of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, has written a memoir, "Officer Clemmons: A Memoir."

NPR sat down for a wonderful interview with him.

Here is one sample, one I'm sure many who watched this always respectful and intelligent PBS program have wondered about? What would Mr. Rogers do during this pandemic? Mr. Clemmons doesn't disappoint with his answer. It is what you'd expect from this loving, compassionate, wise man.

"A few people have asked me that. I don’t think this is something that Fred should be dealing with. It’s something we need to be dealing with, and asking what he would do is OK, but what it boils down to is you and I are in charge now. Fred’s not in charge anymore. He’s not instructing us the same way. He’s left us in charge. He knows that he did his job, what he imparted to us is so special. Now it’s your turn to show that you are worthy of sitting in that driver’s seat, and that would be an adult. We adults have to talk with each other and decide what’s best."

Fred Rogers would, I think, applaud this answer and also lead in the cheers honoring this wise man.