Awkwafina is aware of all the backlash that she’s been getting on her ‘blaccent’ — and now, the Crazy Rich Asians actress is addressing the controversy.
On Saturday (February 5), she took to social media to respond to the criticism she’s been receiving for using the African American Vernacular English (AAVE). The 33-year-old Golden Globe winner posted a lengthy statement on Twitter, which began by acknowledging the “historical context of the African American community in this country.”
She stated that “a group that is disproportionately affected by institutionalized policies and law enforcement policies” had their “culture stolen, exploited, and appropriated by the *dominant* culture for their monetary gain without acknowledgement nor respect for where those roots come from.”
Awkwafina went on to say:
“But as a non-Black POC, I stand by the fact that I will always listen and work tirelessly to understand the history and context of AAVE [African American Vernacular English], what is deemed appropriate or backwards toward the progress of ANY and EVERY marginalized group.
But I must emphasize: To mock, belittle, or to be unkind in any way possible at the expense of others is: Simply. Not. My. Nature. It never has, and it never was.”
And she added that she is still “learning”:
“My immigrant background allowed me to carve an American identity off the movies and TV shows I watched, the children I went to public school with, and my undying love and respect for hip hop.
I think as a group, Asian Americans are still trying to figure out what that journey means for them – what is correct and where they don’t belong. And though I’m still learning and doing that personal work, I know for sure that I want to spend the rest of my career doing nothing but uplifting our communities. We do this first by failing, learning, acknowledging, hearing and empathizing… And I will continue, tirelessly, to do just that.”
Some hours later, Awkwafina tweeted that she would be going on a break from the social media platform:
”Well, I’ll see you in a few years, Twitter – per my therapist. To my fans, thank you for continuing to love and support someone who wishes they could be a better person for you.
I apologize if I ever fell short, in anything I did. You’re in my heart always.”
