It’s ‘About Damn Time’— How Lizzo Changed Her Tune (And The World) For 1.3 Billion Disabled People

Sometimes the world of disability advocacy is a mouthful—we use words like anti-ableism and neurodiversity and social inclusion. What do those words really mean and who has the power to create change by using them? At some point, most of us in the business world have tried to create change and heard…crickets. If you have an invisible disability and have been called your share of names, like me, there seemed to be fewer solutions and too much anger lately to find hope. Polarization, particularly online, hasn’t elevated any of us.

Feeling depressed yet? Don’t be. I want to talk to you about Lizzo, a talented performer with a voice and a brand that has created a self-love revolution. In true Lizzo style, she recently blew the doors off a closed conversation many of us in the disability community have been having for decades about a culture of ignorance and bullying as well as language and representation. It’s complicated, multi-layered and intersectional. But there are many reasons why I think the Lizzo story in particular makes a strong example of how and why language matters for leaders and business and I asked some very special voices to weigh in, too. First, let me back up and give you some context.

The Lizzo Controversy 101

In a new song, GRRRLS, Lizzo included the word ‘spazz’, considered an ableist slur. She was called out for both not knowing it would be an issue and not having people around her to tell her it might be. She’s a mega-watt star with enough influence that Google even hired her to headline an on campus back-to-work event recently. She is also a triple-Grammy winner who is also all about telling it like it is. (She won a Best Pop Solo Performance for Truth Hurts.) She also moves fast. To her credit, Lizzo said she wasn’t aware the word was offensive, quickly turned around a new version of the song and publicly apologized, writing on social media:

“It's been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song “GRRRLS”. 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 am dedicated to being part of the I’ve been waiting to see in the world. Xoxo, Lizzo.”—@lizzobeeating

It's About Damn Time To Listen

Lizzo’s pivot to anti-ableist language was what she calls being ‘solution-ary’ (part of a discussion she had with Zane Lowe). Listening to the conversation made me optimistic as did watching the video for “About Damn Time,” which begins with a mock support group in which the teacher at the podium asks for poems about what makes each student in her class feel stressed versus sexy. Watch it. But do something else, too, if you can. Talk to more neurodiverse people about the issue. Can’t find them? No worries, I did some legwork for you.

Who better to explain Lizzo’s impact and what it takes to be a role model in your own world than student ambassadors from Eye to Eye National? Their mission is unlocking greatness in the 1 in 5 who think differently. The group happened to be gathering for their own change-making summit in Washington, D.C., speaking truth to power about learning disabilities and changes they want to see in education. Here’s an excerpt of what four students ranging in age from 16 to 24 who are all neurodiverse had to say. I am not big on journalistic rants. I’d much rather have community speak for themselves. Here’s a sample of what I heard:

In Their Own Words

We asked this neurodivergent group two questions. First, how do you feel Lizzo represents the change you wish to see in the world and why do her words and actions matter? The answers:

Janelle Buday, 21, ADHD: I do feel like language brings power to an attitude. I feel like some people may say who cares about what diction we use. Words are concrete examples of discrimination and are important to clarify. Words are actions. Lizzo exemplifies that the process of growth is flawed and imperfect. Accepting mistakes and language is an important part of growth, and progress can only really be made when you correct those mistakes.

Kayla Dumas, 16, dyslexic: Lizzo should have had it reviewed. I commend her for responding so quickly. At the same point, I really do feel she shows character.

Eric Marcotte, 24, ADHD: I want to commend her for setting a way of thinking people should adopt. Two key points she achieves are being: vulnerable and diligent. Being vulnerable means checking yourself and then having the diligence to go and change, not just to change what was said but to help change others ways and perspectives.

Claire Robinson, 17, ADHD: We all have different life experiences, and we have different knowledge that comes from them. Our words have so much power. What we say has a big effect on certain communities. I like the way she responded to this. “

Then we asked: What can you do to be anti-ableist? The answers:

Buday: A key part in responding in pop culture or in a conversation is the willingness to listen. I find myself trying to know everything without listening…People should take these moments to learn and be educated and be educated about the community they have impacted with their words.

Robinson: Listening is really important and thinking before you speak. Find someone who is comfortable talking about things. If they are part of the disability community, if they are open to questions about words and phrases and understanding things from that person’s perspective in a safe space is really important.

Find a community of people you can trust and who you can learn from about their firsthand experiences. It helps you to ask questions when you are unsure about things and gain experiences through them and see the world through their eyes.

Marcotte: Through vulnerability, diligence, and allyship.That’s how anyone can be anti-ableist. Be vulnerable enough so that others can accept a different way of thinking.

What Leaders Can Take Away

Is it possible that other superstar business influencers do the same? And what did that mean to someone who is Gen Z and neurodiverse? Was it a sign of big things to come that someone like Lizzo not only took responsibility, showed learning and apologized for her actions? She acted and demonstrated how to create change at warp speed and to held herself accountable to no small number of people— 1.3 billion people are living in the world with a disability.

“One thing that I heard loud and clear from our students is that there is a clear difference between cancel culture and activism. Activism highlights wrongdoing but allows a space for growth that cancel culture does not,” said Marcus Soutra, President of Eye to Eye.

This is a moment to learn and grow from a community’s lived experience. Underneath her songs, she says, is heartbreak. She has called what she writes Lizzo-isms. (Is everyone back in the building? Are we all done healing?) and “You sound way too fine to be this stressed” are Lizzo-isms that appear on her latest album. She also told Zane Lowe in her video interview with him for New Music Daily that has been working on anti-anxiety, so it makes sense that anti-ableism would resonate with her. She also says she wants to support feeling better. Lowe makes the point that there are a lot of problems and a lot of solutions. Do you want to create problems, or do you want to create solutions? …choose a side,” Lowe says on New Music Daily. He’s spot on.

Back to Business (Not) As Usual

Will the world and Twitter and social media return to the same arguments over representation and who is allowed to speak their truth? I hope not. Why narrow the world when you can expand the conversation.

CEO of Eye to Eye David Flink says, “Whether you be a megastar like Lizzo, a neurodiverse young person like our Eye to Eye Ambassadors speaking in DC today, or the person reading this article right now, we all have the opportunity to make a difference. Lizzo and our students show what it means to learn, grow, and take action to make the world better today than it was yesterday – make it more accessible to those who learn and think differently.

But we can’t leave it to only the superstars (yes, I mean Lizzo and young people alike), says Flink. “We all have a responsibility to take action, and the exciting thing is each of us can follow the lead of these incredible people and feel good about the change we can make in the world.”

Maybe all of this isn’t news to you. You get it. But you’re not sure how to move forward? Take some time to look at how to use Radical Candor in your work as a leader or manager. This piece, Words Matter: The impact of language on leadership, is a brilliant primer for why talking to people at all levels of your organization with openness (about able-ism or anything else), will certainly help you break through with a clear discussion. And use Lizzo as an example. I’m not kidding. Did you know that the lyrics in music have incredible power over people? That’s pretty fascinating and a even more proof that Lizzo changing the words in her song could even change minds. Standing up for truly inclusive language at work is work. The impact, and the responsibility is all of ours.