Awkwafina Addresses 'Blaccent' Issue and Quits Twitter

Etonline.com: Awkwafina's addressing criticism over her "blaccent" use in films, saying she never intended to "mock" or "belittle" anyone for speaking in African-American Vernacular English (AAVE).

The Shang-Chi star posted a lengthy statement Saturday on Twitter, saying she acknowledged the "historical context of the African American community in this country" and that "in life, the 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."

For years now, the 33-year-old Golden Globe winner had been taken to task over her "blaccent" use, which is defined as "a manner of speaking used by nonblack individuals that is indicative of AAVE." One of the most prominent examples came in 2018's Crazy Rich Asians when she played Goh Peik Lin.

Awkwafina says she's listened to the criticism and working to understand AAVE's context. 

"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, what is deemed appropriate or backwards toward the progress of ANY and EVERY marginalized group," she said in her 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."

As for what influenced her when it came to adopting the use of AAVE, Awkwafina cited her upbringing.

"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 explained.

In two subsequent tweets, the actress said she's "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."