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Awkwafinais answering for her controversial “blaccent.”
The Golden Globe winner, 33, who has frequently faced criticism for her use of African American Vernacular English (AAVE), addressed the controversy in astatementSaturday on Twitter.
In the letter, Awkwafina (born Nora Lum) acknowledged the “historical context of the African American community in this country,” writing: “And in life, linguistic acculturation, immigrant acculturation, and the inevitable passage of globalized internet slang all play a factor in the fine line between offense and pop culture.”
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“To Clarify: 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!” Awkwafina added.
Awkwafina has been accused of using AAVE since the early years of her career, which she launched as a rapper and comedian. When her star rose with 2018’sCrazy Rich Asians, she once againfaced criticismfor using a blaccent in her performance as Goh Peik Lin.
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TheShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsactress previously responded to the criticism while promoting the Marvel title last year. “I’m open to the conversation,” she toldReutersin September. “It really is something that I think is a little bit multi-faceted and layered.”
Awkwafina’sNora from Queensonscreen fatherBD Wongravedto PEOPLEabout working with her on the Comedy Central show, which is based on her own upbringing in Queens, New York. In particular, he praised her for choosing a diverse cast and crew.
“I’ve learned from working with her that she’s really a visionary about her own career and her life, to the point where she surrounds herself with interesting people, people who share her vision of what the industry can be,” said Wong. “She’s hired a lot of women and a lot of people of color… and to be on a set like this is not that normal for us.”
source: people.com
