The death of Dolly Parton nearly broke the internet a couple of weeks ago.
This near-universal outpouring of grief, love and respect is almost unheard-of in these polarized times.
Why was there “something about Dolly” able to bridge socio-economic, musical, racial, political, and national classes, genres, divides, and borders?
To answer that question, we need to talk about the most deeply defining aspect of Dolly’s “making”.
Appalachian poverty.
","author_name":"Brian Halpin"}