American singer, Lizzo has announced that she has changed the lyrics to her popular song, ‘Grrrls’.
The body positivity advocate whose real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson was called out by netizens for the ableist slur in her newly released single.
According to Access Living, ableism is the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior. At its heart, ableism is rooted in the assumption that disabled people require ‘fixing‘ and defines people by their disability.
Over the weekend, Lizzo received backlash for the single’s ableist lyric.
Disability advocate, Hannah Diviney tweeted;
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.
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
Following the controversy, the 34-year-old musician announced a newly released version via her social media pages on Monday.
She wrote;
It’s been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song ‘GRRRLS.’ 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 the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally).
Lizzo stressed;
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 dedicated to being part of the change I’ve been waiting to see in the world.
View this post on Instagram
“GRRRLS” released on Friday June 10, featured the lyric: “Hold my bag, bitch, hold my bag / Do you see this spaz? I’m a spaz” which has now been replaced with “hold me back.”
Also, Diviney has also thrown her weight behind Lizzo’s apology and solution, tweeting;
Thank you so much for hearing us Lizzo, and for understanding that this was only ever meant gently and being open to learning, it honestly means the world. You’re a real true ally.
I’m going to cry 😭 Thank you so much for hearing us Lizzo and for understanding that this was only ever meant gently and being open to learning, it honestly means the world ❤️. You’re a real true ally https://t.co/RbQCbAwpR6
— Hannah Diviney (@hannah_diviney) June 13, 2022
The new version has already replaced the original on streaming services, including Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube.
