American singer Lizzo has caused controversy with her new song Grrrls, released on Friday. As the track rose to the charts of the most popular songs on TikTok, several users of the application pointed the finger at the use of a word which they consider “ableist” in the lyrics.
The lines “I’mma spaz / I’m about to knock somebody out” were the starting point for the outcry on social networks. “Spaz” in English is a verb meaning “to lose physical or emotional control”.
However, in the UK and other parts of the world, it can be given another meaning, that of a serious insult to people with disabilities. In this sense, the word “spaz” is derived from the medical term “spastic diplegia”, a form of cerebral palsy.
Hey @lizzo my disability Cerebral Palsy is literally classified as Spastic Diplegia (where spasticity refers to unending painful tightness in my legs) your new song makes me pretty angry + sad. ‘Spaz’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better.
— Hannah Diviney (@hannah_diviney) June 12, 2022
Anti-able activist Hannah Diviney, who has the condition, wrote on Twitter that the song made her “angry” and “sad”. Another Twitter user pointed out that Lizzo “needs to do better”, with the singer being recognized as a standard bearer for body diversity.
I’m disappointed in @lizzo for using the word “sp@z” in her new song “Grrrls”. There’s no excuse for using an ableist insult in a song in 2022. As someone who champions women, plus size people and others whom society treats poorly, Lizzo preaches inclusivity and should do better.
— Callum Stephen (He/Him) (@AutisticCallum_) June 11, 2022
New version
Faced with the backlash, Lizzo released a new version of the song on Monday, replacing “I’mma spaz” with “Hold me back.” The old version has been removed from Spotify, YouTube and other music streaming platforms.
In a statement posted to her Instagram and Twitter account, the singer said she was initially unaware of the meaning of the derogatory word used in the first version.
“As a fat black woman in the United States, I have had a lot of hurtful words used towards me, so I understand the power words can have,” she wrote, saying she was “proud.” for changing the lyrics of his song.
Her fans applauded the gesture, highlighting the openness and empathy of the artist, in addition to the speed with which the singer corrected the situation.
Dialogue
For anti-ableist activist Hannah Diviney, this situation, although initially unfortunate, opened the door to a discussion that she considers positive. “I believe ableism is so ingrained in our society that people don’t realize when it’s there, which speaks to the lack of representation and visibility of people with disabilities around the world,” she said. to Washington Post.
Ableism refers to a set of discriminations affecting people living with a disability. Several activists have seen in this song by Lizzo an educational opportunity regarding the oppressions they experience. For influencer Shelby Lynch, who has spinal muscular atrophy, the goal was never to make Lizzo a victim of “cancel culture”.
I’ve seen a few comments across the internet talking about “Cancelling Lizzo” and that’s not what we want – we want to educate her and have the word changed
– Shelby???? (@Shelbykinsxo) June 12, 2022
“The fact that she responded with active listening rather than being defensive […] is a mark of her authenticity as an ally and the importance of her place in the music industry,” added Hannah Diviney.
Grrrls is the second single from the album Specialto be published on July 15.