Lizzo has been criticised for using the word 's***' in the lyrics of her new song Grrrls. The American rapper and singer, 34, was slammed on Twitter for including the 'ableist' term in her latest track Grrrls which was released on Friday.
Short for the derogatory term for spastic diplegia, a type of cerebral palsy, Lizzo uses the word in the first verse of the song. Although the star has yet to repond to the criticisim fans have pointed out that the word has different connotations in the US where its definition is to 'lose physical or emotional control.'
In her opening verse, the Grammy winner, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, sings: "Hold my bag, b****, hold my bag . Do you see this s***? Ima s**z." @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. They added: "‘S***’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better."
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Drag queen and singer Divina de Campo told her: "People are talking. We think you make great music but choosing to use this slur is not cute. Hopefully you’re listening to the people affected by the slur and can sort it out. IE take it out."
@Shelbykinsxo said: "Hey @lizzo please remove the word 's***' from your new song because it's a slur and really offensive to the disabled community. From a disappointed fan." And they tweeted: "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."
@AutisticCallum_ commented: "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."
@vvitcherii said: "Really disappointing that Lizzo has written an empowerment 'anthem' for women but in the first verse she uses the word s***, empowering one group doesn’t mean you can use ableist language."
@chr0nicallycute wrote: "it doesn’t matter if Lizzo knew the ableist connotations of the word s***, it is still problematic. So many people will sing this song and integrate the word into their day to day language."
And @DrFrancesRyan said: "Ugh the normally brilliant @lizzo has apparently used a disability slur in her new song. It’s gutting to see someone who is so body positive deciding not to include disabled bodies in that. Really hope she takes the education on board, apologies, and removes the word. It’s 2022."
