Beyonce Slammed For New Song
Beyonce has vowed to remove an ableist slur from her new track Renaissance track Heated, following a backlash from fans and disability equality charity, Scope.
The singer, 40, a global role model – had the lyrics: Spzin’ on that ass, sz on that ass’ in the song which she collaborated on with Drake.
A statement given to MailOnline on Monday said ‘The word, not used intentionally in a harmful manner, will be replaced in the lyrics.’
However, Beyonce failed to include an apology.
Fans believe there can no excuse for ignorance when it comes to using the word – especially after Lizzo apologised for using the same word on her song Grrrls just weeks ago – and had her track re-recorded.
The word can mean to ‘freak out’ or ‘go crazy’ in the US but it’s very widely known that it comes from the word ‘spastic’.
The term is often used in a derogative manner to describe those with disabilities, especially cerebral palsy.
Warren Kirwan, Media Manager at disability equality charity Scope, said ahead of the statement: ‘It’s appalling that one of the world’s biggest stars has chosen to include this deeply offensive term.
‘Just weeks ago, Lizzo received a huge backlash from fans who felt hurt and let down after she used the same abhorrent language.
‘Thankfully she did the right thing and re-recorded the song. It’s hard to believe that could have gone unnoticed by Beyoncé’s team.
‘Words matter because they reinforce the negative attitudes disabled people face every day, and which impact on every aspect of disabled people’s lives.
‘Beyoncé has long been a champion of inclusivity and equality, so we’d urge her to remove this offensive lyric.’
Earlier, Twitter was awash with comments from those who couldn’t believe that Beyonce, nor any members of her team would have not noticed that the word was an offensive one – especially after Lizzo’s very public apology.
They wrote: ‘Bizarre that Beyoncé chose to include an ableist slur in one of her new songs right after Lizzo learnt from her mistake and took the same slur out from her song.’
‘So so disappointed that Beyoncé has used an ableist slur in Heated It’s the same one Lizzo used (& corrected very gracefully)… this was high profile enough that the same mistake shouldn’t have happened again. So sick of non-disabled artists not recognising harm in their words.’
‘It’s very hard to believe neither Beyoncé nor anyone in her team didn’t recognise the ableist slur when Lizzo very publicly made the same mistake a month ago (and graciously corrected it). Exhausting.’
Source: DailyMail
