United States of Dolly

It looks like there’s still something that can unite Americans: a love for Dolly Parton. NYT (Gift Article): Dolly Parton, Superstar Whose Songs Spoke to Millions, Dies at 80. And David Graham in The Atlantic (Gift Article) on The Transcendence of Dolly Parton. “The late singer was perhaps the only person in the United States who commanded nearly universal affection.” Part of the reason the loss of Dolly Parton hits so hard is that her whole being stood in such stark and glorious contrast to the times in which we’re living and being led. Dolly Parton was the epitome of the decent American. Pro-reading, pro-vaccines, pro-LGBTQ, pro-minorities, pro-underdogs, pro-union, talented, kind, generous, giving. She didn’t talk politics, but in an era when everything is political, she was the rags-to-riches anti-Trump, and she was so supremely successful in that endeavor, even he had to lower the flag in her honor.

+ Her Imagination Library has gifted 332,411,218 books, and counting.

+ Xochitl Gonzalez in The Cut: ” Growing up, Dolly Parton’s unabashed femininity helped me define and embrace my own.” Thank God for Dolly’s Boobs.

+ Dolly Parton: Photos From an Extraordinary Life and Career.