In the pantheon of genuine, sincere goodness over the past century, the world has been rewarded with several greats that have used their knowledge and creativity to influence young and old alike. For me that includes people like Jim Henson, Bob Ross, John Denver, Charles Schulz, Mr. Fred Rogers, Steve Irwin, Cloris Leachman, Betty White, Robert Redford, Dr. Jane Goodall, and Dolly Parton, who died yesterday at age 80. It’s a testament to Dolly Parton–the songwriter, the singer, the actress, the philanthropist–that the Internet in essence stopped for her yesterday with anyone with a heart discussing why we loved her. She was one of those special people who contributed to the lives of humans and animals and the planet in enormous ways. That’s some big shoes to fill.
So who do you think of in that category still living? There must be others leading the way on a national and international scale. Remember what Mr. Rogers said: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people that are helping.'” We all need this calibre of human to show the way in tough times and good times. Carol Burnett and Jane Fonda have led their lives with consistent positive messaging. Meryl Streep has used her platform to share her concerns for humanity with the world. Former President Barack Obama remains a big voice for many. Listen to her in interviews behind the scenes and you can tell music legend and philanthropist Taylor Swift is on that kind of trajectory for the next generation–a mix of integrity, compassion, and sincerity.
Who will be next to achieve the kind of compassion and concern for us that resulted in the return of our own affection in a kind of tsunami of love so many feel for Dolly Parton?
Enlightened Renaissance thinkers saw the humanistic concept of homines novi as those responsible people among us who had something in common with these great people: compassion, human rights, agency. Sometimes that is through education, sometimes through entertainment, sometimes leadership. We like them. They do good works. Eleanor Roosevelt, Danny Thomas, Jimmy Stewart, Princess Diana, Bob Hope, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter–all seem to have held a similar reverence. From the religious sphere has any leader shared a more unifying message and attended so gracefully to his universal charge than Pope Francis? Hayao Miyazaki has certainly done the Good Work of opening the world’s eyes to environmental issues through his art and films.
We can’t confuse mere philanthropy for the level of exceptional humanitarian I’m talking about. How many wealthy industrialist donors assign their monies to ten bad causes for every good cause? Then there are those who are a mix–broadcasting concerns for important issues, amplifying and attempting to change behaviors, yet they bring baggage that interferes and muddles, creating some kind of dissonance to those messages. If we just ran out of the best people at a national or international leadership level, we need to build some more great people–think in terms of finding yourself on the ideal spot on the alignment chart. We don’t need perfection (although those above sure came close if they didn’t hit the bullseye), but it’s nice to have heroes to look up to–to strive to emulate. We need them.
Dolly Parton wrote and sang from the heart. Maybe you saw her sing to you directly in variety shows on your television sets in the 1970s. Maybe you first met her via her endearing secretary role in the hilarious comedy 9 to 5. Maybe you were one of those lucky kids who received their first-ever book via Dolly’s Imagination Library program. Maybe she sang that ear worm you didn’t even realize she wrote. Perhaps you first saw her when she made a surprise cameo on the third season of The Orville. However you met her you always knew you could trust her laughter, her smile, her talent, and her concern. She was lovely. She was earnest. She was genuine.
Dolly Parton left some big shoes to fill. We all should pay attention and live every day as she inspired and challenged us to live by her example.
C.J. Bunce / Editor / borg
