Public opinion on cancel culture has shifted a lot in the past few years, and Lizzo recently took to social media to share her thoughts on the subject.
Lizzo Says Cancel Culture Has Become ‘Misdirected’: ‘I Hope We Can Phase Out Of This’
The “Truth Hurts” singer’s comments came through Twitter on Friday morning, and Lizzo started off by straight-up expressing that “cancel culture is appropriation.”
“This may be a random time to say this but it’s on my heart.. cancel culture is appropriation.”
She proceeded to explain that, while cancel culture was once a useful tool employed by “truly marginalized people,” it’s deviated from its foundations.
“There was real outrage from truly marginalized people and now it’s become trendy, misused and misdirected.”
Lizzo wrapped up her thoughts by noting, “I hope we can phase out of this & focus our outrage on the real problems.”
This may be a random time to say this but it’s on my heart.. cancel culture is appropriation.
There was real outrage from truly marginalized people and now it’s become trendy, misused and misdirected.
I hope we can phase out of this & focus our outrage on the real problems.
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) January 8, 2023
The artist was sure to not harp on the matter, though, as—just twenty minutes later—she was tweeting about Anetra’s recent talent show performance on Ru Paul’s Drag Race. We stan queen who can multitask so early in the morning!
YOU BETTA WALK THAT MUTHAFUCKING DUCK!
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) January 8, 2023
Many Twitter Users See Lizzo’s Point, While Others Were Perplexed
On the heels of Lizzo’s tweet, various fans began chiming in on the matter. Some sided with her and noted how, while cancellation was initially about accountability, it’s been “exploited.”
She’s right though. Cancel culture was never about cancelling something/someone. It was about holding people accountable for harmful things said and/or done.
— happy kun day 🐻 (@johnnysfairy) January 8, 2023
when lizzo said “cancel culture is appropriation” she was talking about a lot of you.
and it’s disturbing. people of color can’t have ownership of anything. our culture is “meant to be shared”, our humanity is exploited , and how our suffering and traumas are weaponized.
— Lucifer (@venuswhxre) January 9, 2023
I think cancel culture started out with good intentions, We have to hold people, especially those in positions of power accountable.But we now attack people, famous or not for EVERYTHING.People are capable of growth and change (I’m not counting perverts and racists and all that)
— Chelsea Victoria (@ChelseaVictorix) January 9, 2023
The way that cancel culture promotes virus signaling was also brought up.
YEP.
We've seem to have forgotten you can disagree without anyone being framed as evil.A lot of people live to virtue signal. https://t.co/Tgrt7F4QoB
— Non-Ironically T.V.'s B. Dave Walters finally home (@BDaveWalters) January 9, 2023
However, others were largely put off by the entire sentiment. In fact, one user said that—while Lizzo is “not even wrong”—her statement “sounds like AI-generated discourse.”
shes not even wrong but "cancel culture is appropriation" sounds like AI generated discourse lmao https://t.co/JV0pI5W9g3
— titmouse973 (@titmouse973) January 9, 2023
Other tweeters found the prospect of “cancelling” cancel culture to be humorous.
Cancelling cancel culture … pic.twitter.com/XVkIKWny2I
— Crutch (@AutoCrutch) January 8, 2023
they finna cancel cancelling 💀
— dawny (@dawnyredd) January 9, 2023
This sentiment was shared by a number of users.
Cancel culture being cancelled for “appropriation” is the simulation having some serious laughs https://t.co/KTXONJ5eHN
— Jack McGuire (@JackMacCFB) January 8, 2023
after all these years on twitter, "cancel culture is appropriation" is the phrase that finally broke my brain
— Keith Harris (@useful_noise) January 9, 2023
Regardless, though, Lizzo’s statement resonated with many, and some even shared that cancel culture has been “co-opted by people who just want to bully.”
Cancel culture is being used and twisted and co-opted by people who just want to bully. Most people in 2023 know that bullying is wrong, but they know they can get away with it if they dress it up as moral outrage. It’s RAMPANT in fan culture and completely disingenuous
— Marigold (@kittygang4lyfe) January 8, 2023
You’ve reminded me of how white nationalists have appropriated “woke,” to weaponize against the community that the expression hails from, as well.
— Ian Saint (@iansaint_) January 8, 2023
The Singer Also Recently Called Attention To A Social Media ‘Epidemic’
This online discourse comes just a few days after Lizzo spoke on another issue relating to social media.
Last week, Lizzo tweeted that “we need to talk about the epidemic of believing any and everything y’all see on social media.”
We need to talk about the epidemic of believing any and everything y’all see on social media…
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) January 6, 2023
This statement garnered a good amount of support, with most agreeing that people need to be adamant about cross-checking information.
EPIDEMIC total lack of critical thinking
— Seth Green (@SethGreen) January 6, 2023
Agree.
Adding – or anything in general. Check ya information source. Are you participating in a pile on. Are you feeding a negative narrative.And even then, be prepared to change your thinking.
Love you, Lizzo. Thank you for all you give us xx
— Nors (@nors_2913) January 6, 2023
When they teach kids critical thinking the kids start questioning parents, and then the parents complain that schools are brainwashing their kids.
— Sailor 💫 Bear 🐻 Zodar 🦄 (@zodarzone) January 6, 2023
Do you agree with Lizzo’s statement?
