It's extremely easy to believe that Beyonce personally, nor the few people who had heard Heated before release, knew about the very small news about Lizzo changing her lyrics.
A large amount of people, myself included, only learned via Lizzo. People aren't born with all the knowledge in the world, we're allowed to learn over time and grow
I would wager 95%+ of the US would not think of it as a serious slur. It has a very different connotation in the UK.
I’m really coming around to this- wish SOPHIE was still around, feels like this would have been a perfect opportunity for her :(
Why are people trying SO hard to make this a controversy? There’s a simple, valid explanation! And she’s changing it anyway! Move on!
It's really gross to dismiss the concerns of disabled people like this. Maybe don't comment on this any further.
I’ll comment as I please. I have no issue with people’s concerns, but the cultural context of its usage here can be easily understood by anyone who puts in minimum effort. Yet it is being treated with maximum bad-faith, which is also gross.
I think some people just don't understand what more should be done. Regardless of how the word ended up in the track, it was quickly addressed. An apology would be appreciated, but beyond that, what else is there? Telling others to move on is gross, but I also don't know how much energy needs to be spent on asking whether or not someone on her team knew; this isn't some scandal that dragged on and on - as soon as it was pointed out that one of the lyrics was problematic, it was dealt with. Articles about "HOW DID SHE NOT KNOW?!?!" just seem...cynical and unproductive imho.
idk how much it can be emphasized that culturally, in the united states, people just straight up did not consider it a slur until very recently, and the lizzo story is the highest profile event i've ever seen in the u.s. regarding it being a slur it's good that she's editing it out. fuck off with that other stuff