Sometimes, you can guess why Fox News is mad about something. Someone wanted equal rights, compassion was necessary to understand a situation. All of that is par for the course. But I was confused by Fox News’ responses to Kermit the Frog’s commencement speech at the University of Maryland.
The University of Maryland is the alma mater of The Muppets creator Jim Henson. So his beloved creation, Kermit the Frog, was there to inspire the next generation of dreamers to go out and make a name for themselves in the same way that Henson did. If you are someone with a heart and a soul (or a kid who grew up with Henson’s work) this probably made you a bit emotional.
To be fair, I cannot listen to Kermit sing “Rainbow Connection” without crying. I’ve been this way my entire life and as an adult, I’ve sat in many a room with a performer pretending to be Kermit the Frog and sobbed. And Kermy is like my third favorite Muppet! I don’t know why it happens, it just does. But that means that the commencement speech was sweet, emotional, and empowering.
Now for Fox News though. The right-wing news outlet had anti-trans swimmer Riley Gaines on to talk about Kermit (I do not know why) and she was furious that instead of “honoring entrepreneurs or veterans or innovators, they picked Kermit the Frog…” Girl, I’d rather listen to Kermit the Frog that people I know in real life, let’s be serious for a second.
Gaines said “Imagine being a 22 year-old student, who is graduating with your degree in aerospace engineering, and a frog from The Muppets is on stage telling you to ‘stay connected with your people.'” Sounds great right? Not to Gaines.
It must suck to have no empathy at all
I grew up with Kermit and his friends. Gonzo, my favorite Muppet, taught me that being different is a “good thing.” My other favorite Muppet is Fozzie Bear. He allowed me to embrace being the “funny one.” Each Muppet teaches us important lessons while we are growing up and one of the most important ones of all is Kermit the Frog.
Thinking that Kermit singing “Rainbow Connection” is silly tells me a lot about you as a person. That song is all about being a dreamer and keeping that alive. Someday we’ll find it, that rainbow connection, and it will bring us all together with the people we need in our lives who love us and support us. We were taught from a young age, thanks to Henson, that following your dreams and wanting them to come true is OKAY.
So yes, Kermit the Frog doing the commencement speech at Maryland might feel “silly” to you if you look at it from a “what will a business major think of this” lens. But to be honest, everyone has dreams. It isn’t just those of us who are more creatively gifted who can relate. We all have ambition and if you’re upset over Kermit the Frog, that says more about you than those of us who love him.
(featured image: Riley Sims / University of Maryland via AP)
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