Petition Calls For Dolly Parton Statues To Replace Confederate Monuments

Confederate monuments around the state of Tennessee could soon be replaced with ones of country music icon Dolly Parton.

A petition, launched on June 11 by Alex Parsons asks Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee House and Senate to consider replacing confederate monuments with statues of Parton, "a true Tennessee hero," instead. "Tennessee is littered with statues memorializing confederate officers," Parsons wrote. "History should not be forgotten, but we need not glamorize those who do not deserve our praise."

The petition went on to explain in more detail why Parton deserves to be honored in this way. Parsons highlights the singer's "beautiful music" and "philanthropic heart" saying she's "changed the world for the better." He adds, "Dolly Parton has given more to this country and this state than those confederate officers could ever have hoped to take away."

In conclusion Parsons says, "Let's replace the statues of men who sought to tear this country apart with a monument to the woman who has worked her entire life to bring us closer together."

The petition comes in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement and protests against systemic racism. As of June 15, the petition has over 6,100 signatures with a goal of 7,500.

Additional resources for further reading about the history of Confederate monuments around the state is included in the request. You can read the full petition here. Parton has yet to comment on the idea herself.

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