Billionaires hoarding wealth while the rest of us struggle need to ask themselves: what would Dolly do? | Rebecca Shaw

4 hours ago 4

Since the moment the news broke that the great Dolly Parton had died, we have been inundated with all manner of Feelings. The internet is flooded with tributes to Dolly by people from all walks of life, who knew her personally or only from afar. There seems no end to the sharing of stories and thoughts about her, and in what feels like a miracle in this divided world, it has only been positive. Even on social media, where people tear down nice things like it’s their full-time job, I’ve seen nothing but adoration. She is not only beloved for her musical genius, but also for her generosity, her sense of humour, her support for other artists, her active care for marginalised communities, her attitude to living, her truly kind spirit.

I am one of these enthusiasts, of course. I have loved Dolly since I was a kid. I remember going to the Nashville country music museum in my 20s and seeing her handwritten lyrics for Jolene. A shiver went down my spine at the thought of 27-year-old Dolly writing that song, not knowing how far she would go, and the great good she would do for the world.

But after she died, and after a few days of reading every tribute with tears in my eyes, and both fists pumping, I decided that there was actually one important Feeling that has been missing from the discussion. That feeling is shame – and it is the shame that other millionaires, billionaires and (excuse me while I vomit a little in my mouth) trillionaires should be feeling.

We live in a world where the gulf between the rich and the poor has never been greater. We understand that the Earth and the majority of people on it are suffering more and more while an enormous amount of wealth and power is concentrated in the hands of a tiny elite. The wealthiest 10% of the global population owns 75% of all wealth. The poorest 50% holds only 2%. The individuals at the top could use tiny portions of their own fortunes to make the world so much better for everyone, and overwhelmingly they choose not to.

Dolly Parton’s life as a self-made millionaire was the antithesis of this. She has shown them all up with the power of her legacy. Every story about her kindness and generosity is an indictment on people who hoard their wealth. Those who use their resources to accelerate environmental destruction, escalate nonsensical culture wars, and invest in actual wars. Those who do everything they can to get richer with no consideration for the rest of humanity.

I suspect that a lot of Dolly’s desire to make life better for others came from the fact that she grew up in poverty. That experience provides perspective that you can’t have if you are born into wealth. She had a deeply ingrained understanding that there are more important things than watching your bank balance grow. She knew that money is the means, not the end. I can’t help but wonder if those who value profits over people saw this global outpouring of love for Dolly and thought about how they themselves might be remembered. I wonder if any had a brief moment of reflection, thinking about who would mourn their loss, or whether they had ever used their own privilege for good.

I know the answer is no. I know that you generally don’t become a billionaire by caring that much about other people. I’ve seen people say that Dolly didn’t hate anyone, and wouldn’t judge others like this. That she would keep her heart open to them. Well, I’m not Dolly Parton. Nobody is, but definitely not me. I do judge these people, and I think we all should. Dolly has shown us what is possible. She has shown us that humanity and grace and generosity can be real priorities for wealthy people.

Dolly had enough money to do whatever she wanted in life. She didn’t need more. This is true for all of the richest people on the planet. But Dolly saw the needs of others, and she responded. There are people who have enough to literally change huge aspects of society for the better, to make our world an easier place to live for everyone. But they don’t. If they don’t feel shame about that, we need to make them feel shame. We must not let them luxuriate in apathy as the world burns. We must demand more. The people hoarding wealth and resources need to start asking themselves: what would Dolly do?