Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Pedestrian.tv
Pedestrian.tv
Entertainment
Soaliha Iqbal

Lizzo Has Broken Her Silence On All The Fan Backlash After She Used An Ableist Slur In ‘GRRRLS’

Lizzo has broken her silence on the backlash she’s been facing following the release of her new song “GRRLS”, which featured an ableist slur. Lizzo acknowledged the word is harmful and revealed she’s listened to fans and removed it from her song in a statement
should Harry Styles did

The post Lizzo Has Broken Her Silence On All The Fan Backlash After She Used An Ableist Slur In ‘GRRRLS’ appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .

shared to her socials. “It’s been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song ‘GRRRLS’,” she wrote. “Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language. As a fat black woman in America, I’ve had many hurtful words used against me so I overstand (sic) the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally). “I’m proud to say there’s a new version of GRRRLS with a lyric change. “This is the result of me listening and taking action. As an influential artist I’m dedicating to being part of the change I’ve been waiting to see in the world.” ICYMI, Lizzo’s latest hit featured the lyric “Do you see this shit, Imma sp*zz”. It’s since been changed to “Do you see this shit, hold me back”. “Sp*z” is a derogatory way of saying “spastic” and is used as an ableist slur. It’s extremely hurtful and often targeted at those with facial and body differences, especially with movement like involuntary muscle spasms. And it’s really *not* cool to use it casually in a song. The line was criticised by the disabled community for obvious reasons, and fans asked her to remove the slur. With this came some very messy discourse around ableism, AAVE and the standards we hold different celebrities to. While there’s no question that the term is definitely a slur, some pointed out that it isn’t as widely used in America as it is in the UK and Australia, especially with demeaning intentions. People just thought it was AAVE. Does that make it less offensive? No. But does that mean maybe this conversation requires a little bit more nuance? Yes. What Lizzo said was indisputably wrong, but the way she was dragged for it online was definitely (at least partially) motivated by insidious racism. As fans pointed out, Lizzo has over time proven herself to be someone who speaks up for marginalised people. She fucked up and people educated her, and as we’ve seen now, she’s apologised for her mistake and removed the slur from her song. Which is why it feels a bit suss to see so many non-Black people dismiss Lizzo’s history and assume malicious intent, and then punish her for it. All I’m gonna say was if this was someone like , fans would afford more benefit of the doubt. It’s a gleaming example of how people hold Black women to higher standards than everyone else. Especially when Black disabled women were already calling Lizzo in and didn’t need this to become a pile on. Lizzo can say something ableist and also be a victim of marginalisation herself. As many Black disability activists pointed out, her being a Black woman in America (who is also viciously trolled on the daily) should be taken into account when discussing her use of the slur. Not as a means of dismissing it — again, she say a slur — but as a way to make sure this is a civil discussion and not an excuse for racists to come for her. You can call out harmful behaviour and still be mindful that the offending person might become a victim in this conversation too! Anyway, Lizzo apologised and changed the lyrics of her song when she realised it was harmful — as fans knew she would. Next time something like this happens, let’s avoid piling on to a woman who we know a) means well and will apologise for her mistake,  b) doesn’t have a history of being problematic and c) has a pretty vicious troll-base that are always dragging her anyway.
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.