Awkwafina
Nora Lum, better known by her stage name Awkwafina, has faced criticism for her use of what some have called a “blaccent” or a black accent. The rapper-turned-actress, who gained mainstream popularity for her roles in films like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Ocean’s Eight,” has been accused of appropriating black culture.
The criticism of Awkwafina’s accent intensified after a 2018 interview on “The Breakfast Club,” where she adopted what some saw as a stereotypically black accent. Many people took to social media to express their disappointment and frustration, calling out the actress for cultural appropriation.
The debate surrounding Awkwafina’s alleged blaccent took new heights in February 2022 when the criticism led to the “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” star releasing a statement before quitting Twitter.
“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 wrote at the time.
“I think as a group, Asian Americans are still trying to figure out what that journey means for them – what is correct and where they don’t belong.”
“And though I’m still learning and doing that personal work, I know for sure that I want to spend the rest of my career doing nothing but uplifting our communities,” she continued. “We do this first by failing, learning, acknowledging, hearing and empathizing… And I will continue, tirelessly, to do just that.”
