Awkwafina has had a pretty crazy rise in Hollywood, but she has also faced some criticism for using a "blaccent", which is cultural shorthand for when non-Black people speak in traditionally African-American vernacular english.
In both of her largest films, Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean's 8, Awkwafina has sometimes dipped into that "blaccent" and has had some accusations of cultural appropriation hit her too. She has not spoken about the controversy before, but in the press circle for Shang-Chi, she was asked very directly about the topic.
Awkwafina seemed to have trouble addressing the questions.
She took a moment, as people do with a large topic like this. “Um, you know, I’m open to the conversation,” she said. “I think it, you know, it’s really something that is a little bit multi-faceted and layered, and so yeah.”
People on Twitter, particularly the Black community, shared their feelings in the comments of that video.
I purposely avoid films with her cause it’s literally disrespectful and contradictory to everything and everyone. They think putting an asian who gives a blaccent is being politically woke. She is famous for mimicking black people. this clip is the most ive seen of her.
She said literally nothing. Basically Ma'am, you need to talk in THIS way in your acting roles, and gi by your birth name beloved.
Understand Nora dropped her blaccent the second she started getting more notoriety. The blaccent doesn’t serve her in the Disney world so she dropped it as it no longer benefits her (monetarily). Yet has the audacity to say using an Asian accent isn’t okay, tuh.
And while we acknowledge that this wasn't actually a conversation, perhaps the door is open. Lauren Michele Jackson’s 2018 piece “Who Really Owns the Blaccent” for Vulture is here for those who wish to learn more about the accent and cultural appropriation.
The post Awkwafina Awkwardly Struggles To Rebut ‘Blaccent’ Accusations appeared first on The Mother of All Nerds.
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