Why Is Spaz Derogatory And Ableist? In the midst of Lizzo’s song lyrics, the meaning is explained
If you’re wondering why the term “Spaz” is considered ableist and disparaging, it refers to Spastic Diplegia, a kind of spastic cerebral palsy that largely affects leg motor coordination.
Lizzo recently used the phrase in her new song GRRRLS, which drew a lot of backlash from people with disabilities and advocates. According to The Guardian, the singer was forced to apologize to her audience and remove the phrase from her song as a result of her internet outburst.
Melissa Viviane Jefferson, better known as Lizzo, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, then moved to Houston, Texas, where she began performing before settling in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she launched her hip-hop music recording career.
Let’s take a closer look at why Spaz is ableist and disparaging, as well as the song’s meaning.
Spaz Is Ableist For What Reason?
Spaz is ableist, which means he is dismissive of disabled people.
Spastic Diplegia is a kind of spastic cerebral palsy that affects motor control particularly in the legs.
According to USA Today, the term was once meant to signify a loss of “physical or emotional control,” but its meaning has shifted in recent decades.
The initial offending lyric comes from the song’s line, ” “Do you see what I’m talking about (expletive)? I’m a wuss, “according to the newspaper USA Today.
People flocked to Lizzo when the song went viral on the internet, criticizing her for using derogatory language in her song.
As one Twitter user put it, “Hey @lizzo, my Cerebral Palsy condition is defined as Spastic Diplegia (where spasticity refers to continual excruciating stiffness in my legs); your new song makes me angry and sad. ‘Spaz’ does not signify ‘crazy’ or ‘freaked out.’ It’s a pejorative used by ableists. The year is 2022. Improve your performance.”
It comes from the term “spastic,” which has been used to designate people with spastic paralysis and cerebral palsy in the past.
“Spaz” or “spaz out” has also been used to describe someone who has lost control of their body or who is “weird” or “uncool.” According to NPR, it is frequently used in a pejorative way to describe people with disabilities.
It is “someone seen as clumsy, awkward, silly, odd, and so forth,” according to Webster’s New World College Dictionary.
However, following widespread criticism, the singer rewrote the song’s lyrics and updated all streaming platforms and digital retailers with the new versions. GRRRLS is from her upcoming album ‘Special,’ which will be released in July 2022.
Who is Lizzo, the singer? Details from Wikipedia
Melissa Viviane Jefferson, better known as Lizzo, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter.
She began her performing career in Houston, Texas, before transferring to Minneapolis, where she began her hip-hop music recording career.
Before signing with Nice Life and Atlantic Records, Lizzo released two studio albums: Lizzobangers (2013) and Big Grrrl Small World (2015). (2015). Lizzo’s debut major-label EP, Coconut Oil, was released in 2016.
Cuz I Love You (2019), Lizzo’s third studio album, debuted in the top five on the US Billboard 200. The album’s singles “Juice” and “Tempo” were released. According to her Wikipedia article, in addition to singing and rapping, Lizzo has also worked as an actor, supplying a voice in the animated film UglyDolls (2019) and appearing in the criminal comedy-drama film Hustlers (2019).