Few public figures leave this world truly universally beloved, joining the likes of Fred Rogers and Steve Irwin in winning over the masses with their extraordinary goodness. There’s no question Dolly Parton belongs among them, but how she did it is worth examining.

After all, Dolly gave people plenty of opportunities to take issue with her. This is a woman who sang country music, which some people can’t stand. A woman who wore big wigs, dramatic makeup, and tight-fitting clothes that could tweak the judgment of pearl-clutchers. A woman who came from Appalachia and spoke openly about God and church on Sunday, which could have irked some people. A woman who didn’t shy away from LGBTQ support and who spoke the words “Black Lives Matter” without flinching, which could easily have cost her some support.

So how did Dolly manage to be all of these things without facing outrage, backlash, or cancellation? Author Carlos Whittaker explained why “nobody hated Dolly” in a short video that honors her legacy perfectly.

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‘Dolly Parton was not quiet’

Whittaker begins by pointing out that Dolly was “loved by absolutely everybody.” And that isn’t just a........

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