{"id":106126,"date":"2022-06-14T12:14:01","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T06:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/lizzo-changes-lyrics-to-grrrls-after-fans-point-out-she-unintentionally-used-abelist-slur\/"},"modified":"2022-06-14T12:14:01","modified_gmt":"2022-06-14T06:44:01","slug":"lizzo-changes-lyrics-to-grrrls-after-fans-point-out-she-unintentionally-used-abelist-slur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/centralrecorder.com\/lizzo-changes-lyrics-to-grrrls-after-fans-point-out-she-unintentionally-used-abelist-slur\/","title":{"rendered":"Lizzo Changes Lyrics to ‘GRRRLS’ After Fans Point Out She ‘Unintentionally’ Used Abelist Slur"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When Lizzo released \u201cGRRRLS,\u201d the second single from her upcoming album \u201cSpecial,\u201d on Friday, she probably didn\u2019t anticipate negative feedback from devoted fans that one of its lyrics was an abelist slur. But after seeing that criticism, the \u201cAbout Damn Time\u201d hitmaker said in a statement Monday that she didn\u2019t intend to harm anyone, and announced that she\u2019s re-releasing the song with a new lyric.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song, \u201cGRRRLS\u201d. Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language. As a fat Black woman in America, I\u2019ve had many hurtful words used against me so I overstand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case, unintentionally). I\u2019m proud to say there\u2019s a new version of GRRRLS with a lyric change. This is the result of me listening and taking action. As an influential artist I\u2019m dedicated to being part of the change I\u2019ve been waiting to see in the world,\u201d Lizzo said in a message posted to her social media accounts.<\/p>\n

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The original lyrics included the line \u201cHold my bag\/ Do you see this s\u2014?\/ I\u2019m a sp-z\/ I\u2019m about to knock somebody out\u201d; It was pointed out by several fans on Twitter that the term \u201csp-z\u201d is derived from spastic and is a slur against disabled people. Here\u2019s one example:<\/p>\n

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Hey @lizzo<\/a> 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. \u2018Spaz\u2019 doesn\u2019t mean freaked out or crazy. It\u2019s an ableist slur. It\u2019s 2022. Do better.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Hannah Diviney (@hannah_diviney) June 12, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Lizzo\u2019s decision to change the lyrics were later celebrated by critics. For example:<\/p>\n

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I\u2019m going to cry \ud83d\ude2d 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 \u2764\ufe0f. You\u2019re a real true ally https:\/\/t.co\/RbQCbAwpR6<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Hannah Diviney (@hannah_diviney) June 13, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cSpecial\u201d will be released on July 15. The album\u2019s first single, \u201cAbout Damn Time,\u201d has been another big hit for Lizzo, peaking at #4 on the U.S. Billboard charts.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n