Outrage as Dolly Parton's Imagination Library book choice called 'racist and homophobic' by woke academic

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Country music icon and philanthropist Dolly Parton has come under fire from a University of North Carolina academic who branded her recent children's book recommendation as "racist, sexist, and homophobic."

The controversy surrounds Parton's inclusion of the book 'Llama Llama Red Pajama' in her Imagination Library program, which mails free books to children under five to promote literacy, as reported by The Daily Mail.

Dolly Parton criticized for 'racist, sexist and homophobic' book in children's literacy program

Jennifer K Stone, a PhD candidate who conducted a critical content analysis of Parton's Imagination Library selections, claims the book promotes "White western values."

Stone's dissertation, "Reading Power With and Through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL): A Critical Content Analysis," deems 'Llama Llama Red Pajama' in particular to be 'racist, sexist, homophobic, classist, and promoting ableist biases.'

Stone criticized the portrayal of values such as individualism, work ethic, and goal-oriented literacy in selections of the children's program, suggesting these themes privilege a narrow worldview.

She argues that physical fitness, for example, might not resonate with all audiences and critiques the lack of diversity in the library's 60-book selection.

"I'm curious about what messages are conveyed in those books," says Stone who has been awarded a $4,500 stipend to continue to investigate the work.

"Rather than thinking that I need to prove that book gifting works, which was my original impetus in my doctoral studies, I'm curious about the actual impacts of giving books out in large quantities to families."

Stone's dissertation has ignited debate, though many parents remain steadfast in their support for Parton's literacy initiative aimed at children.

Matt Fleming in an op-ed in Orange County Register, 'The Marxists come for Dolly Parton', humorously recounted his experience reading 'Llama Llama Red Pajama' to his daughter, unaware he was allegedly supporting "white saviorism."

Fleming found Stone's analysis overreaching, noting that enjoying a story about a baby llama should not be scrutinized for erasing characters with disabilities or non-normative identities.

"I thought we were just enjoying a story about an androgynous baby llama who cried without its llama mama. Instead, we were 'eras(ing)' characters with 'dis/abilities, LGBTQ+ couples, and non-normative gender identities.' I'll never look at that poor baby llama the same ever again," Fleming noted dryly.

Fleming argued that Stone is overanalyzing simple children's stories.

"It doesn't matter that the books are free. It doesn't matter that participation in the club is voluntary. It doesn't matter that the purpose of the book club is to promote literacy. All Stone could see was 'only characters who conformed to dominant White western values conveyed in the corpus,'' he wrote.

Internet reacts to Dolly Parton’s charity being branded 'racist, homophobic, and sexist'

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a beloved initiative providing free books to children, has recently faced criticism from a University of North Carolina academic, Jennifer K. Stone, who labeled the charity's book selections as promoting "white western values."

This critique has sparked a wave of internet reactions, with many defending Parton and her philanthropic efforts.

One user sarcastically commented, "Yes, Dolly Parton is clearly the major threat to the well-being of America and all civilization. Will nothing stop this gifted, generous self-made woman who has made people happy for more than a half-century?"

Another user praised Parton, saying, "Dolly Parton is THE most compassionate, down-to-earth, caring celebrity of all. This woman NEVER virtue signals and keeps her word and goes above and beyond to support her community. This academic should be fired for sheer ignorance."

One user stated, "Oh for goodness sake this is ridiculous," while another added, "Dolly doesn't need to even think about it... she's fabulous!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.