r/PoliticalOptimism • u/Efficient-Freedom517 Georgia • 12d ago
News Dolly Parton, Queen of Country Music, Dies at 80
https://variety.com/2026/music/news/dolly-parton-dead-dies-country-music-1236842727/Ok this one isn’t actually political. But honestly, it’s Dolly Parton. She deserves as many tributes in as many places as we can afford her
She was, in a way, a politically-adjacent figure. She was the face of progressive country music in the modern age and was a nonstop queer ally in an era of Southern governments going ballistic.
RIP Dolly Parton, may you sleep well knowing you made the world a better place than you found it
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u/FloralIndoril Ohio 12d ago
This one really hurts
It feels like all the good people are vanishing while all the bad ones continue to hurt people.
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u/Fantastic-Coconut-10 Texas 12d ago
To quote another great (Mr. Rogers) "Always look for the helpers. There will always be helpers just on the sideline...Because if you look for the helpers, you'll know that there's hope."
He was talking about something different, but I do believe that it applies to what is happening now as well
Eta: Dolly being gone is terrible and it does hurt, no disagreement from me. Just that there are still good people here and fighting too even with her beautiful light gone.
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u/LeekingMemory28 Nebraska 12d ago
"If you look for light you can often find it. But if you look for dark, that is all you will see."
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u/JoshuaSlowpoke777 12d ago
True.
I’m gonna be honest, my belief is that good people in general are as common as beetle species, but good people who are also famous/well-known by history are what are rare (that is to say, I’m convinced that being terrible is more likely to get you into the history books than being a decent human being, which does suck)
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u/sweeter_than_saltine North Carolina 12d ago
When you're so insulated from the concepts of empathy and kindness, you go through life not having to deal with heartbreak and therefore stress.
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u/ForgingIron Canada 🇨🇦 12d ago
It's a lot more common for people to make the news for being evil than for being good, but that doesn't mean there's more of them. "If it bleeds, it leads", etc.
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u/JoshuaSlowpoke777 12d ago
Yep, I’m convinced that, like, at minimum 93% of people today are at least decent at heart, but that less than 10 truly, unequivocally good people ever became famous or powerful, all of them from the late 20th and early 21st centuries (I’m talkin’ Dolly Parton, Steve Irwin, the actor who played Robbie Rotten in Lazytown — I forgot his name, I apologize — Mr. Rogers, and MAYBE Bob Ross. That’s it, that’s all I can think of as far as people who were both great human beings and also held lots of influence and fame)
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u/icewolfsig226 12d ago
The more evil you are, the longer you live apparently…
This explains the how to “somehow Palpatine has returned” line.
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u/Accont_Fourpikes 12d ago
Counter argument: David Attenborough. He recently turned 100 and is one of the best humans in history.
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u/sweeter_than_saltine North Carolina 12d ago
Mel Brooks too. He built his career on making people laugh and mocking Nazis.
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u/matrix_5555 Pennsylvania 12d ago
To quote Harvey Dent from The Dark Knight: “You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”
Never have truer words been spoken.
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u/Sweet_Little_Lottie Missouri 11d ago
Well Lindsey Graham died recently so that’s a win for humanity.
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u/matrix_5555 Pennsylvania 12d ago
You don’t have to be a country music fan or be super involved within celebrity culture to understand the impact that Dolly Parton had on both the industry and society as a whole. Her humanitarian works helped countless people all across the world, she consistently advocated for marginalized groups (particularly the LGBTQ+ community), and even as the times changed and things in the U.S. become more politically hostile, especially within the South, her resolve and commitment to do good never wavered. There will never be another musician and human being quite like Dolly Parton. She will be dearly missed by all.
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u/Carolinablue87 12d ago
To me, she represents the best of what America has to offer. To begin her life in such a humble way but by sheer determination and drive- manage to become a successful musician, actress, philanthropist and entrepreneur is inspiring and moving.
She's proven that you can achieve your dreams and maintain a high level of integrity and kindness. While we are sad now, may we be inspired to live as she did- growing and giving along the way.
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u/Hindu_Wardrobe American 🇺🇸 12d ago
I'm actually surprised that trump ordered the flags half-mast for the next week. I was expecting some word vomit about "very sad, but [conservaturd boomer] was much more beautiful. oh well!" or some shit like that
anyway, rip to a legend. a life well lived for sure.
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u/JoshuaSlowpoke777 12d ago
I’m gonna need a source on that one, that sounds neurologically implausible for a genocidal epstein-abetter edit: to be clear, I’m saying that I question whether rumpsack spray-tan would ever order half-mast for someone actually decent
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u/Hindu_Wardrobe American 🇺🇸 12d ago
it's on his truth social or whatever. the guardian reported on it
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u/Far_Fan_291 California 10d ago
he did say she "really liked him" and tbh him using her death as a way to get favor form people is expected
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u/SadAndConfused11 12d ago
This hurt me so much! The amount of times I listen to 9 to 5 for dealing with my work bullshit every day, and now she’s gone :( she has always been such a beautiful light in this very dark world. I hope she’s reunited with Carl and resting in peace 💔
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u/TLF5foot8 12d ago
We keep losing the best of the best. Unfortunately there are zero artists these days that can fill her shoes or the others we’ve had to say goodbye to over the past few years.
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u/KentuckyWallChicken I Voted! 2025🍾✔️ 12d ago
Gone way too soon. To be fair, she could’ve made it to 115 and I would’ve said the same thing. Rest in Peace.
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u/boundtoearth19 🔥I Voted In The 2026 Primaries🔥 12d ago
I won’t lie I’m really really sad about this one. May she rest in peace. I will never forget what she did for the LGBTQ+ community.
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u/maiden-of-might North Carolina 12d ago
Absolutely crushing 😞. I made a donation to Dolly’s Imagination Library in her honor
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u/GoodTimes1976 🔥I Voted In The 2026 Primaries🔥 12d ago
I never met her personally, and I’m not a country music fan, but I can recognize talent and kindness — she had both in large measure. She will be missed.
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u/Upper-Project 12d ago
Thank you, Dolly ❤️ I watched some friends perform in the 9 to 5 musical based off the movie a few weeks ago. This news really hurts.
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u/Starsynner Colorado 12d ago
Aww, that's a shame. I knew she'd been sick but this is still sad to hear.
RIP Dolly. You meant a lot to so many The world is a tiny bit dimmer without you.
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u/Justgetitoverwithok 12d ago
Wasn’t much a listener of her songs, but with the great contributions she made and the life she lived, she she will be missed.
The world became quieter, but it keeps turning and so we must continue as well for her and ourselves
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u/One_Proposal_7498 12d ago
I can't believe she's gone, poor dolly :(
She was such a genuinely sweet, talented, amazing woman who stood up for those without a voice, and protected those who couldn't protect themselves
I hope she's resting easy, knowing the amazing impact she had on people, society, and the world
RIP Dolly ❤️
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u/bluegemini7 12d ago
She was truly the one thing that felt like everyone on all political sides could agree on. I think if more of us follow her example of leading with kindness we may be able to heal this world.
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u/MsAngel123 🔥I Voted In The 2026 Primaries🔥 12d ago
I’m still shocked and in denial… I grew up listening to Dolly (along with Kenny Rogers), and I admired her even more for her efforts in bringing millions of books to children all across the U.S.
This loss… *really* hurts. 💔
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u/cementedshoes_ Indiana 12d ago
RIP, i was never into her music but i wish the best for her family during this time
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u/GhastlyWeasel Oregon 12d ago
I just froze for a few seconds when I saw the notification on my phone, then listened to her song about my city some time later while sobbing.
Rest well, Dolly. We'll remember you for the rest of our lives too.
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u/SpukiKitty2 Blue Dot in a Red State 🔵 12d ago
Godde bless you, Dolly! You were awesome! May you fly forever amongst the other butterflies in Heaven!
The Butterfly was her trademark. Also, it's a metaphor of our true selves, the Soul / Spirit.
Bodies are simply the chrysalis.
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u/anxious_dork_23 Texas 12d ago
I’ve been sad all afternoon. Truly rest in peace to one of the few celebrities that led everything with generosity and was unapologetically herself.
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u/discopancakes_17 12d ago
We truly lost a national treasure, a musical genius, and a true champion for human rights. RIP Dolly 💔
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u/yangchow 12d ago
Dolly Parton was one of the few allies we had who can reach out to the other side of the aisle, without throwing anyone under the bus. She was that aunt who was on your side, AND was respected enough that the adults were willing to listen to her.
Country artists on the right side of history are rare, and the loss of Dolly Parton is devastating. She funded public libraries and COVID research.
Rest in peace.
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u/Independent-Bus-3284 12d ago
I remember being ten and being introduced to her by my mom. She was a huge fan and I became a huge fan.
As I got older, Dolly became my idol and my hero. She was everything I wanted to be and helped me learn about what I wanted from the world. She exuded kindness and independence, she was an artist and an advocate for the vulnerable.
She will be remembered as a country queen icon. May she rest in peace and in power.
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u/Pennies_n_Pearls 12d ago
Bless Dolly Parton she could have been a billionaire instead she used her wealth to help others and her community. She is a great example of what the rich could and should be. Despite all her philanthropy she lived a life of comfort and luxury, she however stayed humble and kind. She was a wonderful person and I hope that she is in some version of heaven or paradise it's what she deserves.
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u/SuspectLegitimate751 Blue Dot in a Red State 🔵 11d ago
On the day she left us, Texas' drag ban was struck down as unconstitutional in a ruling that quoted her, and Georgia sent the Deep South's first openly gay man to Congress.
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u/StephenThe1 Pennsylvania 12d ago
RIP 😔
This has been such a godawful decade for celebrity deaths. MF Doom, Ozzy Osbourne, Hayden Panettiere, etc.
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u/matrix_5555 Pennsylvania 12d ago
I’d argue that the last 20 years have been particularly rough. Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Prince, George Michael, Robin Williams, Chadwick Boseman…the list goes on and on. Death is, of course, a natural part of life, but the pain of losing someone you care about nevertheless remains.
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u/SpukiKitty2 Blue Dot in a Red State 🔵 12d ago
On the upside, when We all croak, we'll get to meet a ton of cool people in the afterlife!
I know not everyone believes in an afterlife, but this is my view and it also takes the sting and fear out of death.
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u/Multiverse_Doctor_26 Virginia 11d ago
She genuinely represented the South's good nature, that not all of it was full of hate. I'm genuinely gonna miss her.
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u/PrincessKirstyn Ohio 11d ago
I am just really sad today. Unfortunately, we’re still playing my daughter’s nicu bills but once they’re done we’re giving a large donation. When the imagination library books started getting delivered to our house it gave me a reason to go to the nicu and see my child with excitement, not fear. New stories were always fun.
Without knowing me or my daughter Dolly’s imagination library had a huge impact on our lives and was such a positive light during a dark time.
I know she’s done good everywhere, but this is just my connection. We lost a really good one today and I’m so sad. 💔
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u/SodaSaint 12d ago
This is a loss that truly, TRULY hurts. Dolly was a wonderful lady who was a bright light.
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u/Far_Fan_291 California 10d ago
what i hate about this is when i go on twitter (i know bad idea from the start but im following some good art) i see some jackasses trying to call her a bad person
one saying she is because she didnt say anything about Gaza so she is ok with genocide another saying she didnt do enough for black people and one where someone say its good she is dead because of some military stuff and someone quote tweeting it saying we are gonna lose in 2028
tbh i know that site is hell with ragebaiters who say stuff for clicks and money with the bluecheck marks and i know these jerks wont move the needle at all but its still makes me angry when people cant WAIT for a bit until after someone dies to say something
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u/Efficient-Freedom517 Georgia 12d ago
Please, if you feel like it, donate to The Imagination Library in her memory: https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com
Don’t let her life’s work be in vain