Actress Awkwafina has issued a lengthy Twitter statement to address criticisms that she has used a “blaccent” (Black accent) and elements of African American language and mannerisms in her career.
The Golden Globe-winning comedy actress, known for her roles in the hit movies Crazy Rich Asians, Oceans 8, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, released the statement on Saturday, Feb. 5, following years of accusations of allegedly using African American Vernacular English (AAVE) in her music and some of her movies and for alleged cultural appropriation.
She wrote: “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,” she wrote. “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.”
She added in two follow-up tweets that she is leaving Twitter, where she has received the harshest criticisms.
She tweeted: “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.”
The 33-year-old star added, “I am retiring from the ingrown toenail that is Twitter. Not retiring from anything else, even if I wanted to, and I didn’t drunkenly hit someone with a shoehorn and now escaping as a fugitive. Also am avail on all other socials that don’t tell you to kill yourself!”
Akwafina’s statement has made her trend. She is also trending on Twitter Nigeria.
pic.twitter.com/pxSLXZD2J0
— nora (@awkwafina) February 5, 2022
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