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Dolly Parton sings “Pure and Simple” at a benefit for the Opry Trust Fund at the Ryman Auditorium on August 1, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Editor's note: Alison Hope's writing has appeared in CNN, The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Slate, and more. Opinions expressed here are her own. Read more opinion pieces at CNN.
CNN —
One of the most uncancelable figures in US history, iconic American singer, songwriter and actress Dolly Parton, has been targeted by cancel culture.
Affectionately known by such treasured nicknames as “Iron Butterfly,” “Smoky Mountain Diva” and “Countryside Barbie,” country singing legend Parton has had a smash-hit career spanning more than half a century and selling more than 100 million records worldwide. Everyone agrees that Parton is the greatest female country singer of all time.
To Allison Hope
Alison Hope
Parton has long been beloved for her optimistic nature. She's managed to appeal to both ultra-conservative and ultra-liberal fans without remaining completely silent on the issues that matter to her, and without shying away from either extreme. She's long been an unscathed centrist hero in American entertainment. With the country sharply divided along major red and blue lines, with nearly every celebrity picking a side, Parton has long remained the last surviving bright purple.
Dolly Parton is Swiss.
until now.
Conservative writer Erica Andersen wrote in The Federalist earlier this month that Parton's support for the LGBTQ community is a “false gospel,” specifically saying that it's wrong for Parton to invoke Christianity as a justification for her inclusive stance (which she calls “immoral sexual activity” and “not consistent with God's vision for humanity”).
The post sparked an immediate right-wing outrage directed at Parton, with many people joining in on the homophobic protests while many others came to her defense. (“They went for Dolly. We run at dawn,” one fan wrote.)
The slander against Parton was so severe that the writer of the embarrassing article himself issued an apology, saying he regretted his insults to Parton. “As I wrote in the article, I love her and think she is doing great things for the world. We all make poor choices in how we perceive things and for me this was one of those moments! Dolly is one of the few people who is loved by all and loves all people. The world is lucky to have her,” Andersen wrote.
But has the cancel culture train departed, and have the haters rebelled, ruining Dolly Parton as the magical unifier she's long been known for?
That's not to say Parton shys away from politics or skirts issues that are important to her: Her substantial charitable efforts through her Dollywood foundation include hospitals and healthcare (including a $1 million donation to COVID-19 vaccine research), animal rights, and education.
Parton has long supported the LGBTQ community, unafraid to take to the stage at LGBTQ events to speak about how we should stop judging and start loving everyone. She has also risen above the catfights that country music artists often spew in their lyrics and backstage, instead sharing a unique kindness. Her hit song, “Jolene,” portrays another woman so tenderly that scholars have interpreted it as a lesbian song.
There was something about Parton that was untouchable for a long time. People attacked Taylor Swift and spread the disinformation that she was a Democratic bot trained to sway the election. Or that a crazy Kanye West was spreading extreme ring-winging conspiracy theories.
But Dolly Parton has managed to survive the polarization and division of the past few years and decades.
Parton was all afternoon movie specials, theme parks, smiles and cleavage. She had a country vibe, a fun-loving, loud, sweet little beauty with no bad word for anyone. She once posted on X (formerly Twitter) “If you see someone without a smile today, give them one.” Her kindness might just lead to a root canal.
Left and right, everyone loves Dolly Parton. Gay Californians and rednecks from Alabama alike have planned a trip to Dollywood, Parton's theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Nowhere else in America have these two factions walked through a giant pink butterfly entrance together, excitedly lining up for the same attractions.
Parton has long been the great equalizer. It has also been the last whisper of a centrist and united America. For a long time, I joked and worried that Parton was the canary in the coal mine, and that when they came for her, all hope was officially lost. As long as Dolly Patron remained bright and intact, I presumed, America had a chance to overcome challenges and move forward as a united nation. But now, with the arrows pointed at Parton, all I feel is existential dread (and the lyrics to “Jolene” are playing on repeat in my weary head. Why is it so catchy?!).
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Indeed, the vitriol aimed at Dolly Parton is a reminder of fears about American decline and the inevitability of civil war. Nothing is sacred, not even your neighborhood country singer.
But among the shattered pieces glimmers a ray of light we can grasp. We need only look to the great Queen of Country herself: “A kaleidoscope of colours, you can spin her round; you can hold her in your sight, but you can never hold her down.”
Maybe America can recover from this ugly skirmish we've found ourselves in and make a fresh start — that is, if we can recover from this and uncancel Dolly Parton.
