Last week, an unfortunate incident involving Lizzo and her former dancers caught my attention on Twitter. The dancers sued Lizzo, accusing her of creating a hostile work environment characterized by weight-shaming and sexual harassment. However, what may have been overlooked in the sensational reporting is that one of the dancers also accused Lizzo of disability employment discrimination.
Imagine the challenges that disabled dancers like Arianna Davis face in the entertainment industry. Davis, who has an eye condition, recorded performance notes due to her disability. According to the lawsuit, Lizzo became furious when she discovered the recording. Davis explained her condition to Lizzo, but the singer responded dismissively. Ultimately, Davis was fired, leading her to file a lawsuit.
Under the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, an employer can reasonably accommodate a disabled employee’s need to record performance notes without causing undue burden. It’s disheartening that this news broke just after the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law designed to protect disabled individuals from discrimination in employment.
As a disabled Black woman, I have long admired Lizzo’s music and her representation as an artist. However, these allegations against her did not surprise me. I recall attending one of her concerts in 2017, where I experienced firsthand how disabled individuals can be treated. While seated in my wheelchair at the front of the venue, a fan stepped on my legs to get on stage after catching Lizzo’s attention. Thankfully, Lizzo’s dancers intervened, but the incident left me shaken.
When I shared my story on Twitter, I was surprised to find that other attendees had witnessed the incident as well. The hashtag #DisabilityTwitter emerged, urging Lizzo and her team to address the issue. Lizzo acknowledged the incident in her tweets and expressed her opposition to ableism, promising to meet me in person next time she was in D.C. Unfortunately, she never followed through.
This incident, however, did not stop me from defending Lizzo against unwarranted attacks online. She has faced body shaming and racist remarks, making it important for me, as a Black woman, to protect someone who represents women like me who are victims of misogynoir. But what about the intersection of being Black and disabled?
Discrimination against disabled individuals in the workplace is a systemic issue. There is often an unspoken expectation that disabled individuals must prioritize racial solidarity over their disability identity, leading to internal conflicts. This isn’t the first time Lizzo has faced accusations of ableism, as she and Beyoncé were criticized for using an ableist slur in their songs. However, they promptly addressed and rectified the situation, which made me defend them.
This lawsuit feels different, though. If the allegations are true, I cannot remain silent. These dancers’ stories resonate with me and millions of other disabled individuals who have experienced employment discrimination. Disabled people face high unemployment rates, making up the largest minority group in America. They are three times less likely to be employed than non-disabled individuals, and one in three disabled workers have faced discrimination.
Throughout my life with chronic illness, music has been a tool for me to express positivity in my Black disabled body. However, accessibility remains a challenge. I recently encountered issues when trying to attend Beyoncé’s concert, as the venue did not provide accessible tickets in advance. Many disabled fans faced similar problems, prompting us to start the #BeyIncluded campaign to hold venues accountable for inclusivity.
While I have sympathy for Lizzo, as a fat, Black woman, she faces heightened scrutiny. However, this lawsuit should not excuse sexist, racist, or sizeist responses. It is possible to critique someone without perpetuating the discrimination they are being accused of. As the lawsuit unfolds, I hope this conversation serves as an opportunity to learn about ableism and advocate for disabled individuals in the entertainment industry and beyond.
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