Dolly Parton Used Her Voice to Tell Working-Class Stories
For decades, Dolly Parton, who died yesterday at age 80, wrote about poverty, hard work, and the defiant pride of working-class women. The Left should steal a page from her songbook.
There’s a reason Dolly Parton’s anthems have outlived every attempt to co-opt them: they are powerful depictions of the pain and defiance of working-class people. (Andrew Putler / Redferns via Getty Images)
Legendary singer, songwriter, and cultural icon Dolly Parton died on August 25 at age eighty. Her death immediately inspired a flood of praise from stars and public figures, as well as a flurry of chatter on social media.
Few public figures right now would attract such universal accolades. The Empire State Building was lit up in pink in her honor, and President Donald Trump ordered American flags lowered to half-staff for a week.
Indeed, Parton’s appeal transcends political divisions in a time when many cultural rifts seem beyond repair; Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and his political opponent, Democrat Chuck Schumer, are only two of many politicians who expressed affection for the late star.
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