Awkwafina Responds to ‘Blaccent’ Criticism, Leaves ‘the Ingrown Toenail That Is Twitter’

thewrap.com:

Twitter statement. “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.” Awkwafina’s accent, or “blaccent,” has long been criticized as a form of cultural appropriation dating back to her early work as a rapper and to her character in “Crazy Rich Asians.” She briefly addressed the controversy to Reuters during press for “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” last fall.

But Saturday’s statement was the first time she’s addressed the AAVE controversy in earnest. She continued by explaining that her immigrant background helped her carve an American identity based on the movies and shows she watched growing up, as well as by her love for hip-hop music. “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,” she said. “We do this first by failing, learning, acknowledging, hearing and empathizing… And I will continue, tirelessly, to do just that.” In two separate tweets, Awkwafina added that she’ll also be retiring from Twitter specifically, at least until 2024, though not other social media channels, citing mental health concerns from her therapist.