Perspective: If Dolly Parton faces cancellation, it indicates a severe predicament.
The revered figure, often referred to as the "Iron Butterfly", "Smoky Mountain Songbird", and "Barbie from the Backwoods", has an illustrious career that dates back over half a century and has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making her the leading female country music artist of all time.
Known for her upbeat and engaging personality, Parton has been able to appeal to both conservative and liberal fans, addressing important issues while avoiding alienating either side. She has been a beacon of unity in the divisive American entertainment landscape. In a nation where public figures have typically taken sides in the deep political divide, Parton has remained the shining symbol of bipartisanship.
Dolly Parton is America's Switzerland.
However, all this changed with conservative writer Ericka Andersen's post in The Federalist earlier this month. Andersen called out Parton for promoting the LGBTQ community, labeling it as "false gospel." Andersen criticized Parton for invoking her faith as the basis for her inclusivity, referring to the LGBTQ community as engaging in "immoral sexual behavior" and being "contrary to God's vision for humanity."
This sparked a wave of right-wing criticism against Parton, with some siding with Andersen while others defended Parton. The backlash towards Parton has been so intense that even the author of the controversial article eventually apologized, acknowledging her poor choice of words. "I wrote in the piece that I admire her and believe she does wonderful things for the world. We all make mistakes in how we present things sometimes. This was one of those times for me! Dolly is one of the few people who is beloved by everyone and who loves everyone back," Andersen wrote.
The question now remains, has the cancel culture movement firmly turned against Parton? Has the hate driven a wedge between her and her long-standing reputation as a unifying figure?
Parton has never shied away from making her political stance known, especially when it comes to socially impactful causes. Her philanthropic endeavors, through her foundation Dollywood, include causes such as hospitals and healthcare, animal rights, education, and more.
Parton has consistently supported the LGBTQ community and has been vocal about her advocacy for acceptance and love. She has been a frequent guest at LGBTQ events and has even been analyzed as a subtle representation of the lesbian community in her hit song "Jolene."
In the past, criticism aimed at Parton has focused on figures like Taylor Swift and Kanye West, with conspiracy theories and personal attacks. However, Parton has managed to stay above the political fray, maintaining a positive image as a beloved country-singing, friendly and outgoing personality. As she once tweeted, "If you see someone without a smile today, give 'em yours."
Dollywood, her theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, attracts visitors from all walks of life, with left-leaning Californians and right-leaning Alabamans coming together in harmony.
Parton has been the great unifier, often a symbol of a centrist, united America. Some saw her as a warning sign, a canary in the coal mine that indicated the health of the nation. With criticism now directed at Parton, it's hard not to feel an existential dread creeping in, especially as the lyrics to "Jolene" echo through one's thoughts.
The backlash against Parton serves as a chilling reminder of the deterioration of America's unity and the increasing likelihood of civil war. But there still remains a flicker of hope in the words of the one and only queen of country, "A kaleidoscope of colors, you can toss her round and round. You can keep her in your vision, but you never keep her down."
Maybe we could clean up the mess America's currently in and begin anew, assuming we're capable of mending this rift and reviving the popularity of Dolly Parton.
