Awkwafina Addresses ‘Blaccent’ Criticism, Announces Twitter Exit

Awkwafina announced Saturday she’s quitting Twitter, following ongoing accusations of cultural appropriation.

The Golden Globe-winning actress and comedian took to social media to address her controversial use of African American Vernacular English — often referred to as a “blaccent” — in some of her performances.

In a lengthy, multi-image post, the 33-year-old star of “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Nora from Queens” said she meant no disrespect but acknowledged that “there is a historical context to everything, especially the African American community in this country.”

That community, she continued, is “disproportionately affected by institutionalized policies,” but at the same has “historically and routinely seen their culture stolen, exploited and appropriated by the *dominant* culture for monetary gain without acknowledgment nor respect.”

That’s a problem that still exists today, she wrote, citing the “internet TikTok slang generation” and its use of vernacular abbreviated AAVE.

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The actress, whose real name is Nora Lum, was born to a Chinese-American father and a Korean mother. {snip}

“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 wrote. {snip}

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