Golden Globe winner Awkwafina introduced she’s taking a break from Twitter following the criticism surrounding her controversial use of African American Vernacular English (AAVE). On Saturday, the 33-year-old “Nora From Queens” star addressed the years-long backlash she’s confronted over her “blaccent” in a lengthy statement shared on Twitter.
In her letter, she acknowledged the “high-quality line between offense and popular culture,” hinting at her earlier roles in “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Oceans 8.” “However as a non-Black POC, I stand by the truth that I’ll at all times hear and work tirelessly to grasp the historical past and context of AAVE, what’s deemed acceptable or backwards towards the progress of ANY and EVERY marginalized group,” she wrote. “However I have to emphasize: To mock, belittle, or to be unkind in any method attainable on the expense of others is: Merely. Not. My. Nature. It by no means has, and it by no means was.”
“My immigrant background allowed me to carve an American identification off the films and TV reveals I watched, the kids I went to public college with, and my timeless love and respect for hip hop,” she continued. “I believe as a gaggle, Asian Individuals are nonetheless attempting to determine what that journey means for them – what’s appropriate and the place they do not belong. And although I am nonetheless studying and doing that non-public work, I do know for positive that I need to spend the remainder of my profession doing nothing however uplifting our communities.” She concluded: “We do that first by failing, studying, acknowledging, listening to and empathizing… And I’ll proceed, tirelessly, to just do that.”
Hours later, Awkwafina announced her Twitter exit, writing, “To Make clear: I’m retiring from the ingrown toenail that’s Twitter. Not retiring from the rest, even when I needed to, and I did not drunkenly hit somebody with a shoehorn and now escaping as a fugitive. Additionally am avail on all different socials that do not inform you to kill your self!” Final month, Awkwafina got here below fireplace on social media after being nominated for a NAACP Image Award. Learn Awkwafina’s full statement forward.
