Calls for Lizzo to remove “spazz” from new song

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Fans are asking Lizzo to remove her new single, ‘Grrrls’

Both words are directed against herself.


But yeah- and if she (like male African American rappers often do) included "n****r" or "n***a" into the list, and (why stop there?) called herself "a n***a, a b***h, a slut, a hoe, and ...a spazz." probably only the last label would get attention.

But on the other hand, in all fairness...you hear n****r, slut, b***h, and hoe, so often in rap that they are like "do be do be doooo" is in a Sinatra song (they dont even register as words at all). "Spaz" does stand out as unusual in a rap song, and would draw attention to itself.

The woman complaining is from the UK. Sp**** is a really derogatory term here.

Here's an interesting article from the BBC website written by someone with cerebral palsy:

“Spazz” was a insult when I was growing up in America during the 60s and 70s. “b***h” was a big time misogynistic insult at least when used by guys, Exp. “That b***h deserved it”.

In this case the person using the word "spazz" is directing it at themselves. We are all allowed to label ourselves in any way we like. I'm a huge fan of reclaiming words.

WORDS only have the power we give them.

nevermind, you're missing my point. And No Spazz has never beed a medical term. Its "Spastic". Spazz is pure slang.

Lizzo has the right to use any words he likes...just like people who are offended have the right to be so. But Just because people are offended, doesn't mean that things must change by default.

and, like Lizzo you are free to do so. It doesn't obligate me to alter my belief to accomodate yours...we can have a difference of opinion. That's OK. That's real life.

I love how people in the UK make fun of Americans (and by Americas I mean Canadians) for being shocked when they hear people on British TV shows use swear words that are normally not used or censored on American TV networks. But you can't say "spaz" because in the UK it's offensive to people who suffer from spasms, like epilepsy.

I also find it amusing that if you do the peace sign gesture with your palm facing forwards in the UK, that's fine but if you do it with the back of your hand facing forwards it's the same as giving them the finger. I guess it makes sense since you're just holding up one extra finger. But meanwhile, the finger is also given with the palm facing forwards but it's just as vulgar as showing the back of your hand.

Humans are such complex and confusing creatures. Most other animals of the same species use the same kind of body language. A cat will flatten its ears when angry, roll on its back when content, fluff up its tail when frightened, and so on. But humans have all these different ways of communicating and it's scary because they assume everyone knows what they mean.

Yeah, I'm not really that dogmatic about stuff, but I really do think if someone from a minority group tells you something is offensive to them, you listen and ask yourself why it's important to them. I'm not one who enjoys the type of banter than involves put downs and swearing. Plus I have a family member with cerebral palsy

Just to explain the British culture on this. There was a big protest in the early 90s that had the Disability Act brought into law in the UK. We used to have a telethon every few years held by a national TV network called ITV.

When you BAN certain words you give them power.

When you whisper them, you give them SHAME

When you take them back, they can no longer harm you.


(and for the record, I have CP, specifically Spastic Diplegia, along with a good many other co-morbid conditions.)

Honestly I love it when "banned" words start making it in to common use. WHY? because then they begin to change. If I allow myself to get outraged at every slur, all that means is I am perpetuating those negative connotations and have made myself the object of your pity. I don't want any of that. Its counterproductive. I'd much rather those words become normalized and aimed at everyone. They lose the power to wound that way.

I understand this person on TikTok not liking the word. I also see her potentially being both patronized and the focus of a lot of pity stemming from people wanting to protect the "poor, defenseless, disabled person". I think that's a lot more offensive than hearing the word "spazz' in a song.