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Lizzo has released a new version of her song “Grrrls” in response to fan criticism concerning an ableist term in the original version. The original track contained the word “spaz,” which is considered offensive as it references spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy. On Monday, Lizzo addressed the criticism in a statement shared across her social media accounts. “It’s been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song ‘GRRRLS,'” she said in the statement. “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). 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.”
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The new version of “Grrrls” replaces the original line with the phrase “hold me back.” The change satisfied many of her original critics, including disability advocate Hannah Diviney, whose original criticism of Lizzo’s use of the term took off on Twitter. “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,” she had written in a tweet posted on June 11. “It’s an ableist slur.”
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