A Grammy-winning singer, rapper, and advocate of inclusiveness by many fans, Lizzo was criticized for containing words that were considered derogatory to people with disabilities. We changed the lyrics of the new song within a few days of its release.
In the original version of the song “Grrrls” released on Friday, Lizzo used the word “spaz” to indicate she lost control. The term is based on spastic diplegia, a type of cerebral palsy. This is a condition that causes movement disorders in the legs and arms.
Fans and defenders of disabilities have asked Lizzo to change what is called a slur of discrimination against persons with disabilities. This is considered particularly harmful in some countries with a history of being used as abusive school buildings.
By Monday, major music streaming services had replaced the original version of the song with “Hold me back.” In a statement posted on Instagram on Monday, Rizzo said, “As a fat black woman in the United States, many harmful words were used to me,” so whether intentional or unintentional. He said he understood the impact of.
“One thing to clarify. I don’t want to promote derogatory words. This is the result of my listening and action,” she added later.
For Lizzo, who enjoys a warm public persona and creates bright, soothing music that promotes self-acceptance, the lyrics surprised fans, especially as an out-of-brand. The criticism began almost immediately after the song whose latest single from her next album, “Special,” was released on Friday.
Inside the world of Lizzo
The Grammy-winning singer is known for her intense lyrics, fashion and personality.
However, he believed that the swift removal was an example of someone who would satisfy many fans and activists who criticized her, listen to new information, learn and act.
In an interview, Australian disability advocate and self-proclaimed Resofan Hannah Diviny said in an interview that she was “really uncomfortable” when she heard the original version of the word. For her, spasticity refers to “endless, constant, painful tension in her legs and other parts of the body” and what makes her life “very difficult and I can control”. Not. “
But she was “blown away” by Rizzo’s rapid reversal, she said. Rappers weren’t defensive, they listened to criticism and took action, becoming “a real ally because they are willing to learn.”
“I’m really happy that Lizzo has changed it so that many people have learned that it’s a slur,” Diviney said. “It’s clear she shouldn’t have used it in the first place, but I’m glad it’s the moment she’s taught. That’s probably the best result.”
rear One of her tweets Re-shared more than a thousand times, she said she knew why the word was considered to be discrimination against persons with disabilities, which may not be as clear as people in other countries.
Warren Kirwan, a spokesman for Scope, a British group campaigning for equality of persons with disabilities, said the term is “a common term for abuse of persons with disabilities for 30 years in the United Kingdom.” rice field. The organization changed its name from The Spastic Society to Scope to avoid being associated with slurs.
He said different cultural contexts could help explain why American Rizzo used the term, even if it wasn’t an excuse. But when Rizzo learned more about the word, he said he handled the situation well.
“It was her power to own the mistake and change it, and she did well to do it,” Kirwan said.
Other musicians are making the same mistakes.Kanye West Was criticized For using this term in the 2015 song “Four Five Seconds,” a collaboration between Paul McCartney and Rihanna. And in 2014, the strange Aryankovic said he “I’m deeply sorryHe said he didn’t know it was considered offensive for including words related to his song “Word Crimes”.