Actress Awkwafina Sparks BLACKLASH With NAACP Image Award Nomination

Entertainment

By ShaCamree Gowdy Published: January 20, 2022

Actress Awkwafina Sparks BLACKLASH With NAACP Image Award Nomination

In Summary

Actress Awkwafina receiving an NAACP Image Award nomination is not going over well across social media.

Actress Awkwafina has been heavily chastised for misappropriating Black culture, so it’s no surprise her nomination for an NAACP Image Award has sparked outrage on social media.

On The Red Carpet, ABC Television Studios’ entertainment brand, congratulated the actress on Tuesday for being nominated for outstanding voice-over performance for her role as Sisu Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon.

Y’all didn’t think this was an embarrassing choice? A woman who Blacked it up to get on??? Y’all thought “I know she used to put on a fake Black accent to get famous but that’s the past she’s great , exactly what we need! Let’s give her an NAACP award! We love minstrels!” pic.twitter.com/BpXmWJQY9Q
— B!tching&Crafting (@homie_housewife) January 19, 2022

The Crazy Rich Asians actress has been slammed for her hypocrisy after declaring she won’t audition for jobs that require her to fake an Asian accent or disparage the Asian culture because she doesn’t want to create a “minstrel” out of other people.” However, many Black people have pointed out she appears to have no problem mocking other races.

Like…she knows about minstrel shows, acknowledges enough of that history to apply it to her community & yet this is what she puts out? @awkwafina always knew better & she did it anyway. Surprise, actions have consequences https://t.co/BPJtSatT1S
— Mikki Kendall (@Karnythia) September 18, 2021

The word “minstrel” is a term specific to Blacks.

The nerve of her using it in this context when she’s made a career out of a fake “blaccent” she surely didn’t pick up from her Forest Hill, Queens neighborhood where Black people make up *checks notes* 2.5% of the population https://t.co/bhvXFvIV5D
— chris evans (@chris_notcapn) August 16, 2021

Awkwafina dodging the blaccent allegations: pic.twitter.com/y17mCf1Ulg
— PHASES OUT NOW 🌟 (@theeisaiahjames) September 18, 2021

Thanks for putting us Black folks in our place. We should totally be thankful to have our speech and mannerisms stolen by a non-Black person who faces none of the societal repercussions of Blackness, and who dumps said Black culture when she finds it convenient. Chile…
— Birthday "Bud" (@Pothead_Ted) September 18, 2021

The NAACP Image Awards are an annual ceremony honoring exceptional performances by people of color in more than 80 categories, including film, television, theater, music, literature and podcasting.

A full list of NAACP Image Award nominees can be viewed here.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jennifer Hudson
Lil Nas X
Megan Thee Stallion
Regina King
Tiffany Haddish

Outstanding Motion Picture
Judas and the Black Messiah
King Richard
Respect
The Harder They Fall
The United States vs. Billie Holiday

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Denzel Washington – The Tragedy of Macbeth
Jonathan Majors – The Harder They Fall
LaKeith Stanfield – Judas and the Black Messiah
Mahershala Ali – Swan Song
Will Smith – King Richard

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Andra Day – The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Halle Berry – Bruised
Jennifer Hudson – Respect
Tessa Thompson – Passing
Zendaya – Malcolm & Marie

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Algee Smith – Judas and the Black Messiah
Daniel Kaluuya – Judas and the Black Messiah
Delroy Lindo – The Harder They Fall
Idris Elba – The Harder They Fall
LaKeith Stanfield – The Harder They Fall

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Aunjanue Ellis – King Richard
Audra McDonald – Respect
Danielle Deadwyler – The Harder They Fall
Dominique Fishback – Judas and the Black Messiah
Regina King – The Harder They Fall

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture
Andre Braugher – Spirit Untamed
Awkwafina – Raya and the Last Dragon
Brian Tyree Henry – Vivo
Eric André – Sing 2
Letitia Wright – Sing 2