Yes, Black Folks Loved Dolly Parton Too

The epitome of goodness, a classy lady, a businesswoman and a God -Fearing Christian, all things that described the one and only Dolly Rebecca Parton by peers and fans alike this week. On, Tuesday, August 25th, Parton departed this life, proceed by her husband of nearly 60 years Carl Dean after a brief battle with cancer and while the world continues to mourn her, what she meant to the black community was unmeasurable. Now, we all know the story of one of her most recognized hits "I will always love you", created in 1973. However, when the incomparable Whitney Houston took it to newer heights, Parton never once spoke ill of that. As a matter of fact, it was she who admitted the song would not have made it to its pinnacle had Houston never recorded it. As an appreciation, much of the revenues from the song went to build homes in the black community in Tennessee. She gave much of her approximate 650-million-dollar fortune to charities close to her heart and has sent over 350 million books to children around the world all in an effort to raise the literacy rate. Parton often collaborated with black artist and made sure not to overpower their star. She spoke of many artist she was influenced by and how their sounds would intermingle together. That was Dolly, always willing to make sure you were seen even though she was the biggest star in the room. The fourth of twelve children, Parton's mother had all of her offspring by the age of thirty-five. She always knew she was going to be bigger than her circumstances. One of the stories that she told many years ago was that there was roughly a handful of black students in her school in segregated Tennessee at the time and that one particular student had the same maiden name as she, and she made her feel welcome by saying they were sisters. But the best story I've heard so far was that Parton was while watching a commercial one day, she learned that an African based group did the music and wanted to collaborate immediately and as they say, the rest was history. When it was unpopular to speak out during the Black Lives Matter movement Parton made it clear with a bold statement saying, "Of course, black lives matter, do you think our white asses are the only ones that matter, no". A bold statement when the world at large was going through so much. If there were ever white lady black folks were ever going to ride for, she was and is at the top of that list. She had a way of making everyone feel welcomed. No glitz, no camera, no pre-rehearsed script, she was just Dolly. So, yes, we loved Dolly too. She brought so much joy to our lives just by being authentically her. Though this is a solace time, I'm happy she is reunited with her love Carl, and parents. In a world full of chaos, always remember what Dolly would do? How would she use her wit in this situation? Lastly, while there are so many Karens wreaking havoc amongst us, remember to be a Dolly, warm and gentle and would meet you with a smile and a little glitter wherever you go. May she sleep well. Well done, Dolly, well done.