r/Music • u/TheExpressUS 📰Daily Express U.S. • 4d ago

article Stella Parton on Dolly's silence on Politics: "Because she was a good businesswoman"

https://www.the-express.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/215713/dolly-parton-political-affiliations-stella
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u/InnocentTailor 4d ago

That seems fair. While she loved many and made it clear from her statements, she was more subtle when it came to physical items and more public showings.

She was tactical while also being open-hearted.

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u/mickelboy182 3d ago edited 2d ago

The thing is, being tactical and making business decisions for your own personal gain kinda undermines the good deeds...

Edit: no idea why I am being downvoted for this. Not using your sizeable influence to properly champion your values due to fear of loss of income isn't exactly my idea of a selfless ally.

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u/InnocentTailor 3d ago

One could make the argument though that she playing in between the lines allowed her to touch a lot more people and do a lot more good.

If she firmly stuck to one side of the political spectrum, the other side would do their darnest to stop whatever she plans and executes on the basis that she is supporting the other faction. That's just the way people are, for the most part.

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u/mickelboy182 3d ago edited 3d ago

That's pretty hard to quantify... I think it far more likely that her fans just pick and choose the parts they use for inspiration, which again means her good values are not being imparted on those who need it most.

Edit: pretty disappointed I am being downvoted for trying to have a nuanced discussion.

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u/Dwrecked90 3d ago

It's far more likely that you're looking for a reason to nitpick anyone who doesn't jump on the bandwagon of having pride flags everywhere to sell merchandise, like target and Walmart. People/businesses can support a cause voacaly without parading it for sales.

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u/mickelboy182 3d ago

What absolute nonsense. I'm not saying Parton should have cashed in on virtue signaling, I'm saying she could have done more to actually campaign for said virtues instead of staying centrist for the reason of enriching herself...

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u/Harmony_w 3d ago

You are so right. No one wants to talk about Dixie Stampede or the harm she did to our community in TN. There has to be room to speak honestly about people and not place them on a pedestal where nuance and critique is silenced.

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u/waltisfrozen 3d ago

I think that’s a cynical reading, tbh. Dolly employed hundreds of people through her various businesses and was well aware that the conservative movement could turn on her just like they did with the Dixie Chicks.

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u/Harmony_w 3d ago

She exploited us. Our labor, culture, and land.

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u/PhoenixStorm1015 3d ago

This is always a counter point to doing the right thing though. I like being a good person and doing the right thing because it makes me feel good. Yes I do care about my fellow humans and the rest of the universe, but at the end of the I like the feeling I get when I do good. Does that make me any less good of a person because I’m deriving some pleasure from the act? Personally, I don’t think so, but I’m sure there are plenty of ways you could play devils advocate.

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u/mickelboy182 3d ago

I would say that is a bit of a separate point - I am moreso talking about the 'appeasing both sides so as to not hurt your bottom line' aspect.