Awkwafina’s Response To Blaccent Controversy Draws Backlash

Bedford said that Awkwafina’s statement was being scrutinized particularly as her appropriation of Black culture has been solely in the genre of comedy — a behavior she felt is all too common in the entertainment industry.

“When she starred in a dramatic film, The Farewell, I noticed the Black vernacular she uses fell away completely,” Bedford told BuzzFeed News. “I don’t care how respectful someone thinks they’re trying to be. People are outraged because these actions, in this context, uphold white supremacy.”

Johnathan Gibbs, the founder of The Black & Asian Alliance Network, told BuzzFeed News that there have been many conversations about Awkwafina and “her proximity to Blackness and how she has used some of the stereotypical images of Blackness to further her career.”

Gibbs responded to Awkwafina’s statement on Twitter, saying, “My initial response is ‘why did it take so long to say this, especially when you knew the conversation on you existed.’”

After Gibbs tweeted that he had been blocked by Awkwafina following his response, he said that the actor DM’d him to explain that it was a fumble by her public relations team who was trying to protect her, Gibbs told BuzzFeed News.

“She apologized if my feelings were hurt and asked me to understand what she goes through,” Gibbs said, referring to his DMs with Awkwafina. “I stated that I get it, and I let her know that there are folks out here still waiting for her to actually address the issue at hand.”

“If she’s willing to tweet about Black folks, knowing that Black folks have a bone to pick with her, her team shouldn’t be shielding her,” Gibbs said. “She should have remained silent until she was ready to actually have the conversations. She has been silent all this time anyway.”

Since the beginning of her career, Awkwafina has faced criticism of her appropriation of Black culture, as she first entered the public eye via viral rap music videos on YouTube.

Bedford said that Awkwafina’s appropriations and use of “blaccent” had a more far-reaching impact that went beyond just the social media outcry.

“The result is always that young Black creatives in Hollywood who actually speak using AAVE, are not taken seriously,” Bedford said. “It’s almost cheapening to the content they are trying to make, in their genuine voice. I mean, when someone uses their voice for comedic effect, what do we think that that does?”