Lizzo changes lyrics in her new song after backlash

[HardlyaSaint 727]

I can’t help but feel like it’s like me going to a country where they speak predominantly Spanish, hearing a song with the word “negro” in it and getting upset because it has an entirely different meaning and backstory in the US. 
 

I’ve said it before and I’ll unapologetically say it again— people need to stop going out of their own way to be offended by things. 
 

 

[SKANK 14,288]

37 minutes ago, StrawberryBlond said:

I'm not saying the word should be removed but I am a bit surprised that more research isn't done into how words can mean something different elsewhere before a song is put out. Naturally, there are many English words that translate into something rude in other languages, but it would be unreasonable to take every language into consideration when writing a song. But when you're dealing with your own language, you have to be careful when it comes to how different countries that use your language may use certain words differently. The UK is one of the world's biggest music markets, it's a major place to make it and therefore, is also a major loss if you offend this market. I really thought it was well-established by now that this word is a slur in Britain. Even if the writers aren't British, isn't this not understood by them? Shouldn't there be a list of words to refer to when writing songs that detail how English words are perceived differently in different areas? Honestly, I'm surprised it's not a slur in America as well. Its always sounded like a slur, in full and shortened. And to hear grown adults use it is even worse because it just sounds so juvenile. Americans really need to strengthen their knowledge of what words they use differently from other English speakers. In Britain, we're basically bilingual when it comes to American versions of our words (sneakers instead of trainers, chips instead of crisps, gas instead of petrol, etc). British tv shows are becoming more adopted in America now, they've got less of an excuse for not knowing these words. And in today's world, knowing their offensive slang should be of utmost importance, especially if potentially speaking to British people online or releasing a song internationally.

What's even more shocking is that MIA co-wrote it and she's British. Why she didn't raise concern with this word (or, God forbid, did she write this word?) is something that continues to baffle me to this day.

I don't think there's any songs made by British artists that use that word in a song, though. Because we know how it'll be perceived internationally, have the foresight to realise that and don't even do it in the first place. Big difference.

 

 

The most successful UK Christmas song of all time, Christmas In New York, uses the word "f*ggot." Every Christmas there is a debate about censorship and cultural differences surrounding slurs. Yet the song remains a beloved classic.

A few days ago someone recommended that I watch Fleabag, so I looked up a review, and in the very first paragraph the critic for The Guardian uses the word "f*g."  So it's certainly not just Americans who need to "strengthen their knowledge of what words they use differently from other English speakers."

The term "f*g" is perhaps less commonly used now in order to placate international audiences, but it wasn't that long ago that it was inescapable in UK media, and it's still present, being used in a harmless retro way. The NHS has a "loose the f*gs" camping to end smoking. The BBC currently has a clip on their YouTube page featuring the "F*ggot King." I have heard a thousand iterations of "f*g" used on UK tv, "f*gged off," "bum a f*g," "fancy a f*g," etc.

The word "f*g" doesn't hold the same exclusionary vile connotation in the UK that it does in America. The reverse is true for the word "spaz." 

Rather than demand some cultures change innocuous aspects of their language in order to not offend other cultures, we should probably just encourage people to appreciate our differences and consider context. 

In my opinion, linguistic differences are fun and make our global culture more interesting. Happy Pride, bum a f*g. 

[Wolf Boy 3,251]

7 hours ago, Teletubby said:

over 8K comments under her video on tiktok mostly about this slur
https://www.tiktok.com/@lizzo/video/7107686952622738731
and they are also many videos:
https://www.tiktok.com/music/Grrrls-7107269273646548994

TikTok is an absolute cesspool of idiocy. It holds zero credibility. Just like Twitter.

[Jenina 15,083]

it's saddening that people are jumping to this being "teen whiners on tiktok that just like to be upset about stuff" instead of considering there are people who are rightfully hurt by the term which has been used against them and are  sharing their opinion whilst educating others about harmful connotations it can have. clearly not everyone is wanting to "cancel" lizzo do you think disabled people are enjoying discussions about whether this word is harmful or not. anyways if you hear a marginalized group of people vocalizing they find the word harmful whether it's considered a slur or not it'd be nice to consider what they're saying instead of shaking your head with your eyes closed

@Naak Le Vaar what's so funny?

[StrawberryBlond 14,866]

1 hour ago, Economy said:

Maybe they do but it's easy to miss something. I doubt ur gonna run every single word in the dictionary for several countries as ur writing a song. U presume it's fine based on what u know and it's easy to get missed

I'm not saying every single word needs to be assessed. But there's just certain words that jump out at you sometimes. Like I said, I've always felt the word was offensive and was surprised Americans didn't have that same feeling. The same as when a word isn't actually a swear word but it sounds like it is. It's just best to check out this kinda thing especially if it's a slang word.

1 hour ago, HardlyaSaint said:

I can’t help but feel like it’s like me going to a country where they speak predominantly Spanish, hearing a song with the word “negro” in it and getting upset because it has an entirely different meaning and backstory in the US. 
 

I’ve said it before and I’ll unapologetically say it again— people need to stop going out of their own way to be offended by things.

Another language is a completely different matter. If you picked up a Spanish dictionary, you'd discover it meant "black" as in the colour, nothing to do with race, and if you're a reasonable person, you'd move on. But this is about English being used by other English speakers. We should really be aware of how our language is used and spoken around the world. It's far more embarrassing to slip up when it's something you should know.

33 minutes ago, SKANK said:

 

 

The most successful UK Christmas song of all time, Christmas In New York, uses the word "f*ggot." Every Christmas there is a debate about censorship and cultural differences surrounding slurs. Yet the song remains a beloved classic.

A few days ago someone recommended that I watch Fleabag, so I looked up a review, and in the very first paragraph the critic for The Guardian uses the word "f*g."  So it's certainly not just Americans who need to "strengthen their knowledge of what words they use differently from other English speakers."

The term "f*g" is perhaps less commonly used now in order to placate international audiences, but it wasn't that long ago that it was inescapable in UK media, and it's still present, being used in a harmless retro way. The NHS has a "loose the f*gs" camping to end smoking. The BBC currently has a clip on their YouTube page featuring the "F*ggot King." I have heard a thousand iterations of "f*g" used on UK tv, "f*gged off," "bum a f*g," "fancy a f*g," etc.

The word "f*g" doesn't hold the same exclusionary vile connotation in the UK that it does in America. The reverse is true for the word "spaz." 

Rather than demand some cultures change innocuous aspects of their language in order to not offend other cultures, we should probably just encourage people to appreciate our differences and consider context. 

In my opinion, linguistic differences are fun and make our global culture more interesting. Happy Pride, bum a f*g. 

Granted, I forgot about that one. But some people do censor that to "maggot." I've certainly never felt comfortable singing that part. But the other examples you give is stuff that's on British tv and aimed at British audiences only. That's different because we realise outsiders aren't going to be tuning in and if they are, they'll realise it was a regional specific term with a different meaning. But a song is for international consumption by its very design. It would be unwise to think you can get away with saying local terms when not everyone who speaks your language might be ok with it. Particularly when these people are part of major music markets.

[LG666 1,931]

If it's offensive, just don't listen to the song... simple.

[NewYorkGirl 1,467]

This **** is dumb 

[KORG 4,756]

3 hours ago, ALGAYDO said:

 

I swear, the people getting offended about others being offended are exponentially more annoying and self-centered than anyone not liking a slur being used lol 

Honestly, this is the biggest problem in todays society. People are SO determined to have a fight to fight when it's not their fight and they don't pick their battles.

The phrase used to be "Rebel without a cause".

It's like when they tried to block the line in Fairytale of new York, and the news reporters said "gay people are offended"... not one gay was offended, it was straight people SAYING we would be offended.. like.. let people wipe their own arse holes, please.

[LaLuna 12,732]

I'm fairly sure it's just a misunderstanding due to cultural differences and that Lizzo and/or her writers did not intend to use that word in a derogatory way. Instead of getting all up in arms, Brits should just do a bit of research and they would see the word has a different meaning in the US. I swear people are just looking for reasons to get offended nowadays.

[ItWasntLaauv 6,392]

Spaz is not a slur lol

[Willco 351]

6 hours ago, ProdigyARTPOP said:

I literally say that someone is spazzing out all the time,

in California, Spazzing out means that you’re getting angry/belligerent/upset like a Karen,

it has nothing to do with the UK terminology.

Unfortunately the word did not appear out of thin air in the 90s. It’s a contraction of spastic, even in the US. I fear some of you who don’t understand why it could be offensive have no connection to disability. I personally don’t use it just like I don’t use the word retard or call things “gay”

edit: just reading back through this thread … how quickly the gays have forgotten they used to be a sidelined minority and the but of the joke in every 90s movie.

When you would ask someone  to not call something that is broken/odd/unappealing “gay” I remember people saying “it doesn’t mean that” 

Same thing with using spaz to describe belligerence (people with CP may sound angry or drunk to someone ignorant). 

[IHE 563]

OMG who cares. It generally means someone freaking out over nothing or being hyper active and silly. The world is becoming a ridiculous place, gods. This is why woke people are being taken less and less seriously.

[Fresco 1,688]

Lizzo is from the USA not the UK. I've only heard spazz used when someone is overexcited/over-emotional  ( and possibly physically tripped on something while being emotional).

Also, it's an elevator not a lift. It's an apartment not a flat. It's a beer not a pint.

 

 

[ThisGuyTony 30,657]

Did she mean it to be offensive? If not then it was just an honest mistake and no need to cancel her.  

[2School4Cool 6,449]

I can completely understand that if someone has been offended by the phrase in the past they can be uncomfortable hearing it, same as calling a cigarette a f*g. That’s totally valid and I get it. But I also think Lizzo cleary had zero bad intention and there’s no way someone from America would naturally just know that it can be an offensive term in other countries. It’s also worth noting that when she says “Imma sp*z,” I don’t think she meant “I am a sp*z” but meant “I’m going to sp*z,” meaning she’s going to get angry and go crazy. Same as FourFiveSeconds where Kanye sings “hold me back, I’m about to sp*z.” It’s clearly not an uncommon phrase in the United States.