The Blaccent Paradox

[@lopiklop]

I resent when people say "the whitest black person" that erases your identity. You're black, your skin is black , regardless of how you talk. that's part of the point.

[@DANCERcow]

Skin is brown not black.

[@crypticcavern4109]

@@DANCERcow same thing

[@BFSarthur]

If you met my grandpa, you wouldn't think he is black, that's how light his skin is. People often don't even realize he is black when they meet him

[@myajanette]

Yes, exactly and thank you. At the end of the day, I will still have to go to sleep and wake up being black. I am not the “whitest black person” you know. I am black. I think it’s just kind of ignorant to say whether your intention is to joke or be disrespectful or not.

[@alexander8971]

I’m the blackest white person. I don’t think many people would like hearing me say that.

[@anasofia2390]

People saying this is just a “teenagers/gen z/internet slang” thing shows how much people have normalized it

[@objectiveopinions9989]

exactly

[@DoctorCyan]

What if I told you that language naturally changes... The internet has permitted the way people speak, especially the young, to merge their speech patterns into a new common accent. Think the multicultural accents of London and New York City, but on an unprecedented scale. I'm not necessarily saying all people will speak in AAVE in 30 years (nor do I think this solves racist caricatures), but I think Billie Eilish's accent is perfectly natural and innocuous, and it will become more common as American society continues to integrate past ethnocentric cultural barriers.

[@kay-collins]

@@DoctorCyan Billy’s own brother told her she was switching up her accent on live one time... I think if anyone would notice he would so clearly something changed & definitely not natural for her. & not only him, but literally any one who grew up where AAVE was the norm in their lives can also CLEARLY hear that the accent & slang is not at all natural for Billy. Just like you can hear if someone is from where you are or if they’re from another area & you’d immediately notice if they tried to sound like you... so can black people.

[@benjif2470]

I feel like it’s also just been integrated in to the culture of gen z as a whole, basically just agreeing with @doctorcyan’s first point, although I think that the rest of their comment was a bit aggressive and biased.

[@NovellaDeParmesano]

Ion no mayen i thank yall just be tryin to find something to be mad abou foo. Touch some grass. Stop victimising urself. Be more like kanye, Kanye is the goat. Blessings to the most high, he made such a king ❤

[@joedatius]

Kendrick said it best "You run to Atlanta when you need a check balance"

[@Sleep-65]

What does that even mean??

[@ickybickyhello]

@@Sleep-65 profiting off of using Blaccent

[@KartikChugh]

@@Sleep-65 It means he's full of shit

[@projektxent]

Great video and extremely accurate. As a child I was called out for “speaking white”. My parents didn’t allow slang. So when I would visit my cousins I was told “he speaks so proper”. My response has always been, “How should I speak”? My use of proper grammar has only been ridiculed by my own people overtly. Covertly by other groups. “He is so well spoken” “He is so articulate” etc etc 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@ottoparts789]

I am Mexican, and I can relate to your statement. I was ridiculed in my childhood for wanting to pursue education and proper grammar. My parents didn’t allow us to speak with slang either.

[@WapajeaWalksOnWater]

I cannot relate to you at all. My parents were sticklers about proper english as well. I pronounce words correctly and have a good comand of the language, But I do not sound nasally, or whinny,, or flip my voice up at the end of sentences. And no one has ever or will ever accuse me of sounding like a Pink person. Cause I hate the way they talk.

[@sleepybun908]

omg same- i was adopted and i’m latino, and i grew up in an area in California and went to school with all latinos so i was used to the slang and “accent” (if that’s what you’d even call it- i don’t even notice it that much), but me using spanish and hanging out with my friends and using “slang” was seen by my parents as “less than” and “uneducated”

[@staciemae]

How do people even define what is proper and what’s not in language.

[@kaelynsmith1242]

Yes that has happened to me since middle school even now in a professional setting I’m told I sound “white” . I brought this up in my linguistic anthropology class.

[@joybogonko]

all i have to say is yes. yes YESS yes yes. cancel culture has made it increasingly difficult to actually dissect the root problems, and you’ve done an excellent job exemplifying what is NOT okay.

[@objectiveopinions9989]

haha THANK you so much :)

[@spookyfunk3000]

what does cancel culture even mean in this context lmaoo

[@matthew9706]

Cancel culture is a group of white folk,I know,because if they were any but,they wouldn't listen lol

[@ukkugoodasfidem]

Cancel culture doesn’t exist. Stop pretending it does. Y’all just want to do whatever without accountability or people saying anything. Someone can make a video and you still not be cancelled. Ex: Dave Chapelle will always be famous so please stfu about cancel culture.

[@matthew9706]

@@ukkugoodasfidem show us on the doll where the cancel culture touched you lol your mom must be a Karen and your dad is probably your brother/dad lol

[@shantaiii]

The fact that this was only 5 minutes????? So much was said. This was so well done 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@objectiveopinions9989]

thank you so much 💜

[@MaticulousGamer]

very well said

[@josef.david.mushpile]

I really appreciate hearing a black person talking about this, because unfortunately all I hear are white saviors talking over y'all. I believe and understand what you are saying and I am grateful for this video and your perspective.

[@tsaoh5572]

To hear a genuine one, I’d suggest you check out brother Ali. White guy, grew up in a black neighborhood. He doesn’t have a blaccent, just a weird mix between white and black

[@josef.david.mushpile]

@@tsaoh5572 That's okay. I wanted to hear a black person's perspective on this issue. I don't know what a white person could offer to the conversation because they can't speak for black people. I just want to know what people are feeling.

[@sunnc]

@@tsaoh5572 thanks watching his interview now. I actually wanna hear more white ppl talk. So many black creators are explaining things while white ppl "listen" but like wheres the actual comprehension and action.

[@zuzanna1456]

White saviours?where they at bc I’m always on my own seems like eeeh

[@David_R922]

The white saviors are terrible. They treat black people like little children who can't think for themselves. Also, they think that because they grew up privileged, therefore every other white person did too. They make me cringe.

[@LeighannRiceDietitian]

This is the best take I’ve heard on this topic so far. You said it so well.

[@objectiveopinions9989]

thank you so much! that means a lot

[@hollywooddc1708]

Geezus, people will buy anything to validate their bullshit. This is the dumbest cheap excuse for racism I've heard yet. This dude creates his own labels calling his own voice white, and labels another accent black. Awkwafina didn't have to do anything, this guy labeled hood talk as black himself. And decides to jump on the racist mob because he gets views and likes.... What a cheap KZbin hack, do something useful

[@grcparis]

A lot of the time you hear people say “I’m black and I don’t care” like yeah that’s cool and all, but cancelling someone and educations someone are two very different things. People didn’t get on billies ass because she just used vernacular that wasn’t hers, they got on her because she 1. Didn’t talk that way in her personal life 2. After being called out by her brother and seemingly being reminded didn’t stop to reflect and 3. Dropped it as soon as she went blonde and wanted to be all cutesy again. Thank you for being an informed, accurate educational source, so many people need to be more in the know.

[@Tina-us1tr]

If this were for a class you’d get an A… good points, examples, and visuals

[@objectiveopinions9989]

damn that’s high praise ✨thank you so much!

[@Tina-us1tr]

@@objectiveopinions9989 you’re most welcome.

[@tylerkane9953]

Lol you’re right cuz schools teach you this bullshit 😂 get a job ya bums

[@jerrydagna2584]

HAHAHAHAHA HOPE YOU AIN'Y BORROWIN MUNY FOR DAT CLASS

[@christopherlong4287]

@@tylerkane9953 oh, the irony. 😂

[@ashling956]

Thanks for bringing up Billie Eilish, I feel like she doesn't get enough criticism for this. To me it's pretty blatant

[@joyasaxena9976]

I second this!

[@matthoward598]

Bout to go down a rabbit hole. Because I've sure as hell seen this with everyone else in the video, as well as TONS of others. Just never of her.

[@aprilg4116]

First thing I noticed when I heard her talk

[@illwill1991]

I don't know man I don't really hear it with her. The first example he uses is her saying "da fuq" and I don't think that's a cultural thing as much as it is a millennial text speak thing.

[@ashling956]

@@illwill1991 I've noticed it in most interviews I've seen of her

[@naominekomimi]

I'm from the south and I've met a lot of white people who's natural speech sounds like AAVE all the time, which makes it seem like it's not a race thing at all but more of a class thing. I've never seen someone address that point and I'm curious for your thoughts on it if you see this comment.

[@Dengee]

I think you're right. It's definitely a class thing. And I understand this guy's point. But it's nothing to get upset about... somebody wants to use a blaccent let 'em! It's all done in fun.

[@narthiirian]

It's both that they're from the south and poorer. Both Black and distinctly Southern White English have their roots in the English of East England.

[@mattr272]

I'm from the inner city. And some people say I have an accent. Though growing up and working with brothers and sisters. No one has ever accused me of trying to sound black or urban.

[@donniefeldick2428]

Aave? Truly didn't know we needed to classify how people talk...... and you say others are dividing america hahahahahaha

[@donniefeldick2428]

​@@Dengeedude, its not a thing. You're all assholes cause the poster themself is a proponent of the same shit hahahahahahahahq

[@maximusprime3459]

It is kinda funny. When people who arent black sort of appropriate their speech, its in lieu of being "cool", but when black people speak more articulately, its seen as "being white" or looked upon somewhat negatively.

[@Najobajo]

They just want people to be African without The American part.

[@harrisonkenney6246]

It's people who only wanna be around black people/the black people in their lives bc they're cool or whatever reason. Then they're like I'm out and get all mad bc they are emotionally attached to the slang

[@switchunboxing]

Used to be that way when white people used AAVE as well. You’d be looked down upon. It really seems like AAVE wasn’t appropriated at such a mass scale until Black equality became a mass scale conversation and Black culture was more talked about and accepted. “Talking black” wasn’t okay. Until it was. That’s why it’s appropriation

[@maximusprime3459]

@@switchunboxing Man, you are *Metamucil* !!

[@lockandloadlikehell]

That's not what "in lieu of" means

[@trashmaam.8080]

I never understood the saying "Whitest black person." My ex had a black roommate once and we were standing outside doing the visitation swap and he said "Oh Kevin is basically white." and laughed. You could see the defeat on Kevin's face and I asked my ex to explain what he meant. He stumbled over his words trying make "He's normal and white is normal while black is ghetto" funny and not offensive.

[@deeayeveeeyedee3793]

You understood it perfectly well. Just say you “never agreed with it” next time.

[@xGoodDaiMaloriex]

@@deeayeveeeyedee3793 Asking someone racist to explain their racist comments/ideology is actually a good way to deter them from saying racist shit. Especially when it’s clear no one else agrees or finds it funny.

[@deeayeveeeyedee3793]

@@xGoodDaiMaloriex 💯 That’s an excellent point.

[@jclyntoledo]

Yeah for me I always thought of it as ppl saying "this person doesn't fit my definition of X race/ethnicity that's mostly made up of inaccurate, exaggerated and harmful stereotypes". But yeah white is seen as normal and that's so messed up bc when ppl end up just doing what's considered normal they suddenly get called out for trying to "act white" just bc they have a different race/ethnicity. In reality they are just being themselves... bc no race ot ethnicity is a monolith 😐.

[@joydot.dot.dot.8040]

I hope the roommate moved out after that. I can’t imagine how dehumanizing it is to be living with someone who doesn’t respect your culture and only views you as “normal” when you assimilate to what he views as right.

[@kavacraze]

as a non american person i’m always very interested in stuff like this. english isn’t even my first language so I didn’t even necessarily realize akwafina was doing a blaccent. watching your video tho i can CLEARLY see what she was doing so thank you for educating me further :)

[@XXXTENTAClON227]

It’s just American. We love to gatekeep.

[@britneytheunicorn2832]

@@XXXTENTAClON227 it’s DEFINITELY BLACK. It’s the black American accent.

[@kacileigh6112]

@@britneytheunicorn2832 It's actually a Southern White language. More specifically ppl that came from England in the 1600's. Northern whites made fun of and ridiculed Southern white people for the way that they talked.

[@bleeem]

​@@britneytheunicorn2832its the hood accent, yall gotta realize culture and social class speak louder than skin colors. This whole "black accent" doesnt exist here in Brazi because our culture doesnt think of race that much, because i Live in the South of Brazil which is 90% white, still the dudes in the hoods all talk the same way, and the same shit is happening to us that Live in hoods, rich dudes that Live very far from the favelas start to speak like us but without being seem as trashy or criminal

[@etheriusdoll]

​@@bleeem amg nao entendi nada do seu comentário

[@paulajf4205]

I am a black woman who works with social justice book-related events and DEIA committees, and I have mad respect for how you broke this down. You were clear, concise and approached the topic with respect and in fairness.

[@objectiveopinions9989]

You have no idea how much that means to me. Thank you so much for those kind words :) it truly means alot

[@WiseSeeker]

AGREED!

[@hollywooddc1708]

@@objectiveopinions9989 the irony that you call yourself "objective opinions", and literally the whole video was race baiting conjecture

[@jaysoncolbert6187]

Actually the term "Mad" has been claimed by 1990s Puerto's Ricans in the Bronx.....so you are no longer allowed to use it unless you are in fact Puerto Rican. My lawyer will make sure to contact your people.

[@howardrenn300]

Not really. He mentioned white people being privileged. As a social justice warrior shouldn't you recognize that calling a hundred something million white people all privileged is racist and generalizing and stereotyping? U can't have it both ways. There are so many white people I know, especially white immigrants who didn't get anything handed to them, didn't get extra perks because of their skin color and they still worked really hard and moved up in life. Go to Appalachia and see how privileged the white people living in shacks are. Go talk to a poor single white mother working two jobs with a really smart kid who doesn't qualify to get into a college for free because he's too pale skinned or they filled their quota of white kids and need to accept other kids who didn't study as hard and scored lower on the entrance exam.

[@bryk.9317]

This vid is very informative and needs to be shown in schools all around the world.

[@objectiveopinions9989]

thank you so much! that means alot

[@mikomaxwell6313]

Oh my god no.

[@BlakeGeometrio]

Oh my God yes!

[@Chill_330]

Exactly!!

[@sarttee]

@@objectiveopinions9989 im confused why you showed Billie Eilish having blonde hair. She didn't even choose that for herself.

[@jazminetillman4568]

Thank you so much for this video. You have explained what I always felt was so wrong with the blaccent and people imitating our stereotyped culture. The fact is that so many nuances of our culture (from our songs, our dances, our language, etc.) were born from a place of trying to thrive and grow despite the oppression, the racism, and the hate. It breaks my heart to see when people completely misinterpret that as something cool to imitate without understanding the context that it came from. I'm glad people are speaking up about this, and you're video explained it the clearest. So once again, thank you man

[@jaemovedacc7192]

I feel like people should get educated rather than canceled.

[@LadyAstarionAncunin]

People aren't getting "cancelled" anyway. That term isn't even being used in the way we, black folks, intended anymore. Once conservative white folks got their hands on it, it's been downhill. That's one reason why we're so protective over things we come up with. They're always destroyed.

[@EmperorSarco]

You have a point.

[@jameslucena1020]

Troof. The real n word is nawledge

[@Tobi-yn1pr]

This is probably one of the most informative and thorough videos on aave / ebonics I've watched. The editing, the research, the examples... So beautifully written and wrapped up at the end too 😮‍💨 As someone who isn't from the US, I see so many (local / international) content creators talking in aave so it was easy to equate the terminology/ tone of speaking with the internet & western pop culture when it's clearly a lot more than that. Thank you very much! This was incredibly eye-opening 🙌🏼

[@objectiveopinions9989]

thank you SO much! that means the world to me. 😌 :)))

[@lowkey0001]

powerful conclusion with the joke being "laughing at us"

[@ericnierstedt6242]

I went to high school with a kid that always trying to be a 'wigger'. He would actually greet me by calling me his n****** and I could never believe he was that stupid, especially because we were both white in a largely white area. Because of that, I'm pretty sure he got all his knowledge from TV and music. I am glad some people really do respect the culture and are legitimate, but I will always hate people that use it because they think it's cool. As for Awkwafina, I think the bigger problem for is that she has used this accent, but she apparently puts up a stink if she's asked to speak in an Asian accent. And yes, that's not good either, but it's still hypocritical of her.

[@objectiveopinions9989]

absolutely! you hit the nail on the head. there is such a major influence of media that conditions kids (esp white kids) to view a “blaccent” as not just acceptable, but necessary to being deemed cool as well. and i don’t think these individuals (such as that kid from your hs) are inherently malicious in their intent, but they do perpetuate this trend of ignorant behavior. same thing goes with awkwafina who, like you pointed out, doesn’t perceive a stereotypical black voice with the same contempt as she does a stereotypical asian voice.

[@ericnierstedt6242]

@@objectiveopinions9989 Yeah I don’t think either of them are trying to be malicious about it they were just ignorant. And I think it is something you see a lot of in areas where there isn’t much of a black community. They don’t see it from a real person so they just take everything from what they get from television or the media. I have worked with many different peoples and no matter what they are we all really just talk the same. Maybe Aquafina lacked that too. She certainly knew It could be offensive for her people so maybe she just didn’t get that experience for Black people.

[@David_R922]

I'm a white person who grew up in a mostly black neighborhood and went to schools that were mostly black. I was often the token white dude and got teased with white jokes and stereotypes, even though I wasn't the headbanger or surfer type. I basically went along to get along. Once you leave where you grew up, you realize how your upbringing stays with you. The slang, the mannerisms, the music, etc. I was usually surprised when I would meet white kids from mostly white environments who used ghetto slang, dressed urban, and knew more about rap music than most black people. I used to wonder how they knew so much and how they would make out if they were put in a mostly black environment. However, for some it seemed legit, not putting on an act. My point is, there are some white kids who act that way and it's just who they truly are. Just as there are black people from the hood who are complete dorks. It can also just be youthful rebellion and wanting to be different than your parents. As they get older, they probably tone it down. There aren't too many 40+ year old "wiggers".

[@abigailowens4290]

because she didnt grow up speaking with an asian accent. it's not the same. she grew up speaking what other people spoke.

[@voxomnes9537]

@@abigailowens4290 So she sounds white? Cause she grew up in Queens, a predominantly white area.

[@peterwonaprize]

To me it just seems like all the “outrage” aimed squarely at Awkwafina comes off as disingenuous, considering the laundry list of far worse offenders with much bigger names who have massively capitalized off overt cultural appropriation and unmasked mockery to a greater degree, yet they all still enjoy their Twitter privileges completely unscathed. I don’t mean to discredit the general discourse, but it’s just odd how the Internet suddenly decided that the line was crossed when a few benign movie lines by an Asian actor came to light. It’s as if she’s just an easier target compared to others.

[@abigailowens4290]

yup. white people do this all the time but when it's an asian...black folk just dive in.

[@zvexevz]

As much as I hate arguments like, "sure thing/person x is bad, but thing/person y is way worse! so stop talking about x", in this case I think you have a good point in there. There are so many white musicians who do this and receive much less focused and sustained criticism. There's no doubt that unconscious biases are playing some role in focusing this criticism on an Asian woman rather than pretty white girls, and that includes the biases of other people of colour, as well as people who think of themselves as staunch anti-racists. It's almost like we've been so conditioned to accept the dominant group's mockery and caricature of minority cultures, that it appears as more of a scandal when a non-white person starts engaging in that caricaturing as well. But it's all very complicated, and a difficult subject to talk about without arousing some very strong emotions from all.

[@GeorgeWBush-hl6lm]

@@abigailowens4290 not true what's so ever, stop trying to make it seem as if all black people do that, if anything you should see the hate the Kardashians get so you can really see how "black folk dive in"

[@negativeionz]

A girl who grew up in Queens talking like her peer group isn't "cultural appropriation." It's talking like your friends and family. If that is cultural appropriation then the dimwit who made this video is culturally appropriating white people using his Illinois accent. There are real problems in this country and the OP needs to grow up and read some books not written by woke fundamentalists.

[@BrittanyMega]

It’s not just movie lines. She did it in real life and only recently toned it down

[@TravelingTeachers]

This video was incredibly well made. Thanks for being so clear and concise. I’ve lived abroad for awhile now so I don’t always know what’s going on in pop culture

[@objectiveopinions9989]

Thank you very much for the kind words! I’m glad you find my video informative 💜

[@Av-wp8ct]

Finally someone who is opened minded and understands the meaning of being educated and not coming up with your own conclusions.

[@sayenka6093]

I know it takes a lot of patience to have to explain this over and over, but thank you so much. I think especially for people like me that did not grow up in an English-speaking country it's very easy to slither into aave vocabulary because we take our english from what the internet and popculture provides. I wasn't even aware aave existed a few weeks ago because schools do not teach you about it and encourage you to adopt "slang" into your vocabulary to sound more like a native speaker. This is of course no excuse. So, again, thank you so much.

[@objectiveopinions9989]

of course! as you said, it is so easy to adopt aave without knowing it, especially when schools don’t provide you with a good foundation to understand its roots. but all you can do is educate yourself, which is what you are doing. also, thank you very much for the kind words on the video. they mean alot 💜

[@JayJulesDRC]

nobody ever used that meditate line more appropriately. Good video

[@loudalou123]

This was one of the best video's ive ever come across on youtube !! Wow you have a gift .. Keep up the amazing work

[@objectiveopinions9989]

that means more to me than words can say. thank you so much!

[@HM-mw7cg]

It's interesting, because in Brazil, where there are more black people than in the US, the national psyche has been moulded (often through violent and racist means) into a more or less singular Brazilian identity, you really can't tell if you're speaking to a black person on the phone like you could in the US. Sure there are regional differences and a growing black consciousness that's inspired by American civil rights activism, but still, culture is not divided along racial lines.

[@LargerThanCats]

Exactly, and if this guy doesn't think many black people speak like this then he needs to visit the south.

[@canalmilani]

Exactly! Like you really can't tell if someone is black or white just by talking here in Brazil

[@HM-mw7cg]

@@canalmilani yeah, on the one hand it's great, since everyone feels Brazilian before anything else. On the other hand, it makes it easier to hide a lot of issues

[@mfield040491]

This hold true for EVERYWHERE outside of the united states (and Canada). Im not sure why tbh. I think it's bc black Americans have been the ones most stripped of their identity compared to blacks elsewhere. The same holds true for natives. Natives in America and Canada tend to be more sensitive and protective of what we share bc of how harsh and closed minded the british were for so long. The Latin Europeans were more open minded and mixed more with the africans and indigenous than the British. The British was more closed minded and strict in their ways so I think as a result the oppressed groups under their ruling became more cold towards sharing with them. The British caused us not to be a unified country race wise and as a result it's hard for us to not see ourselves as separate. Like in latin America the whites didnt give blacks a separate identity. Everyone is just Brazilian, Mexican, Colombian etc etc. The dividing titles and viewpoints on us being equal or not (the Spanish/Portuguese saw all humans as equal and deserving of salvation, British saw Africans and natives as inferior pagans) had big ramifications in the differences in the cultural construction of our country. Almost all latin countries that had millions of slaves adopted black culture as their national identity in regards to the music and language. It appears now white America wants to do the same but it's like too little too late 🤣 we 100+ years behind lol

[@tsaoh5572]

Marvin F. I’d suggest you read a bit about what the Spanish and Portuguese did and I think you’ll reach the conclusion that they were definitely not better than the British when it came to black and indigenous people. Having said that, I think that what also made a big difference is when the countries became independent. Many Latin American countries became independent after the abolition of slavery (or at least the slave trade), whereas the USA was exclusively founded by and for white people. Basically none of the founding fathers ever wanted to see Obama become president. It leaves the (people of the) USA with no identity, no history, no shared things to be collectively proud of. For a long time, policy makers have tried to hide this by constantly seeking an enemy. When there were none left, they just made shit up… about Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, etc…. Even Americans don’t buy that shit anymore though, so now the country is just left with an empty shell.

[@CompleteManiac]

Awkwafina doesn't do a Blaccent. She's not from Shanghai or Beijing, she's from Queens. That's how she talks. I'm from Brooklyn. That's how most native New Yorkers talk. So just because she's Asian she can't sound like a girl that grew up in a major urban metropolis?

[@shqip_sumejja]

I'm not familiar with NYC but in London, white, Asian or African people will use MLE, an accent rooted in Jamaican slang. I'd assume similar to NYC because of the melting pot culture there

[@artheaux666]

Queens isn’t predominantly Asian is it tho? So this deflection doesn’t work, especially since those areas are predominantly black/hispanic

[@Chill_330]

This deserves more Views and praise Because some people really need to hear this

[@mehsanhafiz6729]

This is one of the most informative 5 minute videos I have seen. Well done.

[@objectiveopinions9989]

thank you very much :)

[@bellamaz1972]

She’s from New York, from a very diverse school. She speaks the way a lot of New Yorkers of her generation and circumstances speak.

[@gitgeronimo9375]

Dude, this has been going on since waaaay before “today’s society” and before “influencer” or “creator” were things. In my town, going to high school in the 90s, we had a whole group of white people, mostly girls, who talked and dressed “black”. I always felt like they were trying to act cool but really just came across as ridiculous.

[@NickHchaos]

Yep. It was going on in the 60s and way before that I’m pretty sure..ya dig?

[@gitgeronimo9375]

@@NickHchaos absolutely

[@switchunboxing]

Yup but it was not accepted on a mass scale like it is today.

[@bosambo]

He literally said it's been going on for well over a century in the video. You didn't do anything here 🤣

[@thoughtofamind]

and they be the same people that are racist towards us

[@angeloescobar728]

I really enjoyed your analysis on this and appreciate the perspective that you offer.

[@saucygoat8287]

I don’t like people using fake accents in real life like as if they’re real, but there’s no such thing as black or white accents. It just depends where, and how you’re raised. If that’s still exclusively a “black accent”, then what would you call the accent you have? I wouldn’t inherently call it a “white accent”, yet people call you the “whitest black guy”. Plenty of people put on a “white accent” for movies and the internet, people just like getting mad about nothing.

[@jihadamcsween2677]

I completely agree it makes no sense when people say I sound white when I speak. Black people can speak proper normal English. I feel people also play into the stereotype that black people are less educated and therefore speak a certain way. It's honestly upsetting.

[@objectiveopinions9989]

this !!!

[@gitadine]

I'm not from the US and I've never been to the US, so I am definitely not as familiar with these issues as an average American person, but I am on the internet a lot. At first, I honestly adapted the words like "woke"; "on fleek"; and "spill the tea" because I saw them being used so much on Twitter. I didn't know it was part of the Black culture. So thank you for this video :)

[@iTeacupPanda]

Because it isn't all. Some of it is from gay culture. But y'know.

[@dejausser]

@@iTeacupPanda A lot of the slang “from gay culture” is originally from Black culture and has been co-opted into the queer community (only a few years ago it was extremely common for cis white gay men to talk about having a “sassy black woman” inside of them, it wasn’t exactly covert). Our community isn’t exempt from perpetuating racism and appropriating from other groups for clout just because we’re also a marginalised community.

[@iTeacupPanda]

@@dejausser It's kind of both because the majority of it comes from GAY black men and GAY transwomen. That is why we have the crossover. But SOME things were JUST gay culture just like some are JUST from black culture but there is a definite overlap. and no you're right I definitely remember that cringe trend of people saying that and you're right. But it is hard to gate keep what is Queer and what is black because you can be both and it just becomes lingo used in regular straight black culture and just regular gay culture regardless of color. You can't police language. It's impossible.

[@user-ov7gl4cd3t]

Totally agree. Sometimes us non Americans use a certain words because it's popular or because we hear it so often it sneaks into you vocabulary

[@fuckstevejobs6879]

@@iTeacupPanda who did gay black men get it from?? Black women, exactly. It’s not from Gay culture at all, you sound dumb all around

[@BrysonYinglingUKR]

I think another thing people forget is that some accents cross cultural and racial boundaries. There was some tiktokker who got canceled recently because she was supposedly using a blaccent. She was Asian, and had grown up in New York, either the Bronx or Brooklyn, and had a very strong accent and people canceled her for talking like a black. But then when some native new Yorkers and a linguist chimed in, everyone started pointing out that her accent was more akin to a Bronx accent rather than a legitimate blaccent. People sometimes associate a blaccent with a regional accent, due to that region being associated with black people and culture, so then when someone of another race speaks in their normal voice, people who aren't from that region immediately call it a blaccent. Everyone who was cancelling the Asian girl online, where mostly white people who weren't from New York. I've had people tell me I sound black, when I'm just talking like I always talk, being from the south. If it's your natural voice, or if it's a natural accent, there isn't as much of a problem. Like you said, the issue is when people treat it like a costume that they can take off at will.

[@dancegirlva93]

Wow, you explained this in a way everyone can understand and should respect! Thank you!

[@objectiveopinions9989]

Thank you so much 💜

[@amandatay743]

This just moved me. Beautifully put.

[@NicholsEliteBullyClub]

My friend, you made great points, kept the video to the point (not drawn out), and drove it all home with some very entertaining humor! You'll be like the 7th channel I've subscribed to man, you earned it! 🍻

[@user-wg1gd5gg7s]

You're spot on about everything except you didn't touch upon the fact that the 'black caricature' is MODERNLY pushed first and foremost by people in the black community who have been successfully brainwashed by modern advanced racist tactics such as to accept this caricature as their true identity. This is the real travesty. I can't see why people can't see this and instead actually think black culture is simply ebonics or hairstyles or rapping etc. Truly tragic. For example, when a white boy raps about gang life or guns why is that seen as stealing black culture. Why have black people been made to feel they must own that aspect of life and define themselves through it, when the reality is EVERY race on the planet has gangs. This is the subtle racism applied over last few decades. People should be angry at the black artists that sold their souls out in the 90s to white record labels and movie producers. They sold out the culture. But if you know you know. Through framing what modern black culture is, through music movie and general media for the past 30 years, we have got to a point where black people are actually DEFENDING their own caricature because they feel white people are taking it from them. Isn't that irony as its best? Meanwhile the people being accused of cultural appropriation are literally just being normal humans - adopting speech, slang and mannerisms from people they perceive as part of their clan. Cultural appropriation in this sense is actually homage, but once again since black people have been taught to defend their caricature to the death they cannot see it as anything but covert racism (despite the covert racism really being that the caricature has been accepted as black culture lol). At some point, the only way out of this is to de-link culture and colour in the west because the reality is it has to happen anyway. The cultures will become unique to the geographical make up rather than some blind faith of skin colour. Peace my brothers and sisters.

[@Junker_1]

great post

[@rociogranados5203]

I love this point. This is something worth discussion within our community.

[@thermant8452]

The caricature is not the true identity. Black people are not accepting and promoting a caricature. Black people are accepting and being themselves and behaving as products of their culture. Subsequently, non blacks promote the sensationalized version of that. Big chains, guns, flashy cars and that type of shit is literally in our hoods across America. It's not the ONLY things in our hoods, but these things are absolutely there and glorified. Can you give a specific example of what or who you're talking about?

[@jesusmejia1239]

@@thermant8452 you just proved their point even more

[@thermant8452]

@@jesusmejia1239 how?

[@spurslegacy]

Came here after Awkwafina been catching criticism for her blaccent on twitter….really great vid

[@LargerThanCats]

Twitter? Lol, shut up.

[@vidious5530]

Thomas White What’s your problem lol

[@LargerThanCats]

@@vidious5530 Your ignorance.

[@valentinamaresova8812]

This was very interesting and informative. I am a white woman from eastern europe so firstly there aren’t many black people here and secondly english is my second language. I just found out that I’ve been using some of the “black slang” whithout even knowing it comes from black culture just because Ive heard it in movies, songs or interviews. I will make an effort to be more aware of stuff like this in the future.

[@assasinerdtwo4892]

good job european keep adapting

[@kanalichishi82]

Glad Billie grew out of that phase😭😭 it was unbearable that era, even finneas call her out. Now she's mature and grown and I hope she never looks back.

[@zoren1900]

I don't know about the ' mature and grown ' part but at least she's changed

[@Kappy25]

Definitely not mature but a step closer to mature

[@saintshrooms9424]

Definitely not to mature but the rest yeah She’s dating a 55 year old dude tho she’s known since she was 15 sooo

[@zoren1900]

@@saintshrooms9424 wtf? She is? 😐

[@jessiecreasey]

@@zoren1900 33 actually

[@elizabethv1918]

Just playing devils advocate, how do we make sure we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot on claiming who’s talking “black”. So anytime someone talks ignorant, or with slang, or with a roll of the neck, it’s black? Why couldn’t it just be diva or drag queen language? They talk the same way and aren’t called out for blaccents. Just like how I hate being told I sound “white” bc I speak “intellectually”, I don’t want the continued narrative that speaking in this slang-ish manner is how I’d be expected to speak because it’s “black”.

[@TheSchoolBoyQ]

The fact that it’s always a southern black accent is a dead giveaway

[@AnimeEnergy]

I love how clearly you define your ideas and thoughts. As a non-African American person I found this video to be a very enlightening look into how African American people feel about these types of cultural issues. I've heard similar ideas expressed many times but most people aren't quite able to properly express why these social issue are so hurtful. Even if I didn't agree immediately with every minor point you raised I still respect the overall message on this very personal and complicated issue. I appreciate your thoughts and input. Subscribed.

[@objectiveopinions9989]

that means so much to me. thanks for the support and the kind words :)

[@todayiglowup4286]

she grew up in queens, so her accent is honestly understandable

[@greatemeraldgoat5029]

Thank you for making this video. I appreciate that you took the time to define out the difference between parody and appreciation.

[@Punkini]

As someone whos grown up in a pretty diverse area, I’ve always been worried about doing this. I’ve grown up with many people of different ethnicities and I talk like how people around me talk (they don’t talk like awkwafina). This video really explained this topic clearly!

[@sdadem24]

I’m black and I don’t have a problem with any of these people because my mama always taught me our language is universal and our Americanized culture is also universal

[@Kruppt808]

Universal for some, others can use it to profit and then drop it when it's convenient. Idk

[@sdadem24]

@@bossshxtonly depends on you ask

[@StopBeingRacist]

@@bossshxtonlyyour interpretation of the world isn’t real. Denial doesn’t erase what actually exist.

[@Kruppt808]

​@StopBeingRacist it's a troll account, they repeat the same post in different threads.😅

[@NkosanaMakhubele]

​@@sdadem24 not universal but okay😂

[@kateunsworth333]

"laughing at the joke also means laughing at us" well put!!

[@LazyScoutJace]

I randomly came across this video in bed. My wife who's a high school teacher watched it over my shoulder - not something she ever does. She liked it so much she played it in a few of her classes and had some very fruitful discussions with her students. Bravo, man

[@objectiveopinions9989]

HAHA thank you so much!! i never expected my videos to get such a response but i always hoped at the very least they would inspire a larger dialogue. tell your wife she is amazing for starting those uncomfortable but necessary conversations. comments like these brighten my whole day, so from the bottom of my heart - thank you. truly.

[@KongSunWu]

Why did she do that???

[@LazyScoutJace]

@@KongSunWu I dunno. She doesn't really watch the same stuff I do so it was a bit odd. Though, she liked it and said she'd want to share it in her classes as they were having discussions about cancel-culture and race relations.

[@monetlyn9430]

This video was amazing + the outro song fit literally perfect for what you were tryna explain 👌🏽 everybody wanna be black until it’s time to deal with daily, average black problems…

[@objectiveopinions9989]

exactly 👏🏾 and thank you so much!

[@rayshepherd5971]

Literally beautiful how you ended with that JID verse🏆

[@oncue9426]

This is an amazingly simple and perfect explanation. I appreciate this so much and I’m saving to refer to to show my teenage boys.

[@Michael-nc3ib]

Why is it so hard to find sources like this on the internet, I thought I was the only one thinking this

[@GeekedOutNeckbeard]

I had a "blaccent" when I was growing up. I don't know how, nor why I got that way. I am not white, I'm colored. I was told I was pretending to be black, but I wasn't. I was just.. Talking. The accent was just there. I don't know why. I was uncomfortable for quite sometime to talk because people made me feel just me TALKING was me being a racist. I eventually managed to "get rid of it" but I have words that sometimes just slip out that "blaccent".

[@dayshabatiste2241]

Ok?

[@GeekedOutNeckbeard]

@@dayshabatiste2241 I had a point but I already posted the comment. The point: There's no such thing as a "blaccent". You sometimes grow up and pronounce shit differently. Maybe I heard it while I grew up a ton. But if people think you're black or racist cause of the way you're talking they need to reflect on themselves instead of making me and everyone else embarrassed, and uncomfortable just with talking to the point we force it out. Awkwafina might've been the same way, but judging by her shit response about "layers" it's probably less likely that she was that way. Anyways, my original comment will remain pure without that "edited" shit.

[@LargerThanCats]

@@GeekedOutNeckbeard Ignore that person, the most their pea sized brain can type is two letters and a question mark.

[@LadyAstarionAncunin]

You should do more to examine why it existed, though, because the origins will tell you something about yourself you may very well need to pay attention to.

[@GeekedOutNeckbeard]

@@LadyAstarionAncunin there's really nothing to examine. I grew up, I had what you call a "blaccent" I was shamed, called a racist and bullied for it until I forced it off for years. when I was about 13/14 it began, the accusations. Then by the time I was 19 or 20 I was able to "overcome" it. Unless I was watching tons of tv as a baby, and then as I grew up that would make me inclined to have a "blaccent" then I dunno. Either way, I had it. Got bullied for having it and being racist. So it fucking sucked. Out of my control and had nothing to do with any semblance of racism. I doubt my parents thought it'd be cool to have a "blaccent kid" since one is of indigenous heritage and the other is of Fijian heritage. And neither would find it cool or fun to insult another's "culture". Just happened to suck that I had it. But I won't be diving into what went into me being raised as a baby. Not enough motivation to revisit all that abuse to try and "understand it"

[@uesikon]

ive never felt some type of way about people wanting to be like us because ive known with that influence comes power.

[@louisepreacely6161]

It becomes a problem when they get the credit for acting like us appropriating our culture

[@priscilla8068]

@@louisepreacely6161 Yes and then taking it off like a costume when they want to be taken seriously i.e. Justin Timberlake and Miley Cyrus to name a few.

[@ajiteshtiwari4900]

Bro, I’m an Indian. But I really understand what the problem is here. Thank you for explaining it this accurately

[@achoo9165]

Should they be canceled? As long as they are trading in black caricatures and stereotypes then yes. As black people, we must stop giving the “they didn’t know better” pass. It’s a deliberate choice made by adults. And in some cases teams of adults. Notice they don’t go around saying “vato”. They don’t wear kippahs and they don’t call each other “gaijin”. Why not? They may live with Mexican, Jewish and Japanese friends but they respect those people enough not to cross those cultural boundaries. And if they do cross those lines, nobody expects people in those cultures to call them out but only politely. There’s nothing wrong with black people saying to non-blacks with respect to certain cultural things: your role is observer status only, not participant.

[@productioninquiry8937]

Well said sir.

[@yama5182]

I concur...YEAHHH...they should be called out AND CANCELLED.

[@TititoDeBologay]

IMO They don't inherently respect those culture, but They fear the backlash enough to not try It.

[@BlakeGeometrio]

Amen!

[@BlakeGeometrio]

@@TititoDeBologay Truuue. They sometimes do cross those boundaries too, especially when they don't have friends who are of those cultures. I see this a lot with Japanese culture (weeaboos).

[@sophia7322]

I use a lot of phrases and phonetics that awkwafina and Billie do but usually only in times of excitement or anger. I don’t think it ever occurred to me that it was a “blaccent” because none of my black friends spoke like that normally. I think to me it’s always been more of a exaggerated way of speaking to emulate someone who doesn’t take shit. But I also grew up in a mixed race home so I view things differently than most.

[@christinagore-dj3dq]

Where did you get it from then? Is it the conditioning of belligerence being associated with black people? Most of oppression has been subliminally implanted into our culture. I'm not saying you're doing anything wrong but it's an interesting idea. Is accidental racism a thing

[@thechrisman1345]

@@christinagore-dj3dqcourse you didnt get a reply heh These comments are crazy

[@elliesimon204]

Its so crazy a year ago talking white and black was a distinct bias. Ur beauty boy face matches ur handsome voice. You were so concise and i could listen to u talk ab this for hours ((not flirting but is loving)

[@naturalbby1722]

0:13 I felt that **sigh** it’s incredibly annoying! This is what schools need to be teaching as well because it happens everywhere! I’m happy a black person made this video because I’m always seeing white people defending us but not truly understanding the concept

[@objectiveopinions9989]

thank you so much! and hahah yea… that *sigh* was long overdue for us

[@penofthebeloved]

Wow. This video was so well done! After a bit of KZbin dive after seeing TikTokers call out Awkwafina, I landed on your page!

[@objectiveopinions9989]

thank you so much! that means the world ❤️

[@lilyan_convallaria]

This painting is what got me into art history. When I first saw it, i didn’t know how to feel. It’s probably one of my favorites.

[@jello5508]

nobody asked

[@starfthegreat]

As an Arab man, I can see some parallels with how the Western world and Israel have used and appropriated Arabic culture in their art snd performances. It's obviously a very different situation, but there definitely are parallels.

[@tsaoh5572]

Having said that, it also happens the other way around. And trust me, I know.

[@liliqua1293]

Imagine focusing on this when blackface is commonplace in Arab media

[@Infern0121]

@@liliqua1293 Arabs aren't woke, they do what they want, you choose to be offended or not.

[@liliqua1293]

@@Infern0121 if that's what you think, why are you even here?

[@Infern0121]

@@liliqua1293 I like to see how other people interpret things

[@jclyntoledo]

Thank you for explaining this to me! As a former soc student I was still lost on the whole blaccent thing. I literally thought it was equivalent to when ppl say someone was talking how they perceived a stereotypical black person would talk which to me sounded racist to insinuate. I now understand it 🥰🥰.

[@objectiveopinions9989]

Of course! I’m glad that the video was informative for you. Thanks for the kind words 💜

[@zy823]

Enimen is the perfect example of a rapper respecting the culture

[@kittyfrog0]

Thank you so much for this video. It really helped explain the issue. You made really good points. I also have autism and will sometimes quote things as a form of unintentional masking. For example, I didn’t realize yas queen was originally a black culture slang. I always liked how empowering it sounded. I’m happy to know I use it in the correct context. I would never want to hurt anyone with my use of slang. I also have a habit of picking up the accent of whoever I am speaking with (nothing extreme, just slight inflection changes). This is an involuntary autistic masking behavior. I have been working really hard to just use my natural accent when I catch myself. TikTok has actually been helping me embrace my authentic autistic self which reduces my need to mask.

[@doozledumbler5393]

How do you feel about Awkwafina dropping the blaccent once she became famous?

[@decentdec]

She didn't drop it she just toned it down.

[@dennygo9433]

@@decentdec Nah she dropped it like a hot potato.

[@jeebtheweeb]

@@dennygo9433 well that's a good thing right?

[@LadyAstarionAncunin]

The same way I did about Miley and Justin Timberlake when they wrung out every drop they could from the black community and then bounced. (Lil Nas X is bringing Miley back in, unfortunately. SMH)

[@devlinswainson3190]

Are you telling me you don't change the way you talk when you're around certain people?

[@billg7781]

The imagery usage was top tier

[@frooitbox]

this video is well-explained! thank you for making these points! i learned a lot!

[@meatlemonade3338]

i think a lot of people miss the point when talking about "gatekeeping language" in these sort of discussions. yes, we do gatekeep our language and culture. you would too if it was stolen from you and mocked.

[@SupaSillyMexi]

This is a MUCH better explanation, I learn better when someone's calmly expains something I stead of just angrily declaring someone be cancelled.

[@LifeScriptz]

So glad I watched this video. Very on point perspective, that was articulated very well and with concrete examples and historical relevance. I learned how to better express that point, as an old head, and not go off on a fool. 😂. Thank you.

[@objectiveopinions9989]

thank you so much :) !!

[@DK-xd8no]

I grew up on the south side of Chicago. I'm a person of color but not black and I got the most HATEFUL, RACIST treatment on a daily basis. I mean truly, truly violent and malicious treatment. After I got out of there I eventually moved to a nice suburb and I expected even worse (according to the news). But in reality everyone was so open and kind.. it was jarring. The irony of.... everything nowadays. Jfc.

[@BossX2243]

Black people are the most racist group out there, and they get a pass for it while white people are burned at the stake over nothing. I never grew up racist and was pretty anti-racist as a kid. Living near black people has changed that quite a bit. I now legitimately refuse to move to a city with a large african american population. Any time I consider moving for a job I always look into what percentage of the population is black. The most obnoxious, violent, unpredicatble, and destructive group of people on the face of the earth. The funny thing is that everyone knows it's the truth but nobody acknowledges it. If you plot black population percentage vs quality of life, the trend is always negative. It holds for cities, states, and even countries funnily enough. Even cities across different countries. Wild

[@jamikatechaos9972]

Imo, the bigger, more philosophical issue is just bc something is a "social construct" doesn't mean it isn't real.

[@why7189]

To be fair a lot of the common sayings like "spill the tea" and "yasss queen" came from drag queen communities

[@arisboba]

That came from black women & was adopted by gays. Smh

[@fwsh_sprite]

Thank you for explaining this in a more condensed matter of fact as someone who isn't a POC and wasn't raised to know about these more nuanced topics ie my family is very old fashioned and doesn't talk about issues that relate outside our culture (( we're romani )) so I've always been uneducated about these Topics up until now and I've tried to research these topics on my own but it's always felt wrong to not hear the main group of people effected by these topics say on the matter it's always been super hard to find that helped explain in a way I understood so again thank you! I'm gonna be cautious of who I see using AAVE in the future and regarding the context if it's an act or if it's genuine to eho they are:)

[@objectiveopinions9989]

of course!! i’m glad that you found this video informative. and thank you for the kind words 💜 they mean alot

[@TheeKingRayzor]

*"Not sounding black, but caricature."* Excellent way to say it. 👍

[@ShinyHappyPeople9]

Such a well done video. Super informative. I hope you make even more videos.

[@gitadine]

I agree!

[@objectiveopinions9989]

thank you so much! i’m glad u enjoyed it 😌 (also… new vids coming soon)

[@haruyasumi616]

i don't know much about awkwafina as i'm not american. i liked her voiceover for 'raya'. and looked her up on youtube a few times since and liked her. i think the points made here are well put. I grew up listening to hip-hop, and when i was younger, even made my own rap songs. but i always tried to avoid using any posturing/language/presentation that wasn't natural to me. one thing i wonder about with awkwafina in regards to the argument being made in this video about making the culture a joke - is if in her case it's more about actually the expectations of asian women's behaviour that's being mocked. i think a lot of americans expect asian women to be mild, polite, and even 'kawaii'. and shes going against that expectation.

[@june980612]

I love how the comment section is filled with people sharing ideas instead of blurting out and lashing on others. I, for one, agree on some and disagree on other points that you make. This issue is really hard to just dumb it down to 'Black' and 'non-black' and pick a side. It has to do with everything else from where you were born, how you were raised, etc. Awkwafina for example, was raised in Queens. So the exaggeration is not the same as Miley Cyrus or others. Plus it doesn't help that she looks super Asian too, cause it's uncommon (thus weird) to see an Asian acting in such manner. Anyways, yeah great video and analogy.

[@VideoJunkee]

This was the most tone deaf rant I’ve ever heard. He only convinced me he’s never watched BET or never lived in an urban area.

[@jrodgers211]

I think some peoples “blaccents” are genuine. When you grow up surrounded by people that talk a certain way you’re going to have the same accent. Look at New Mexico, almost all the white people seem to have a kind of Hispanic accent. Just like black people growing up around white people are accused of “talking white”, which is gross. The caricature you’re describing though is cringey.

[@nikosfilipino]

If you grow up around any community then likely you'll take up their accent. If a black girl has a valley girl accent is she imitating white girls?

[@birdsfly7199]

Seems like (mostly) people have a problem with others using a blaccent rather than having one. That’s a major difference.

[@TititoDeBologay]

The thing is Alka Seltzer did not. She was raised, went to school, mostlyworked with Asian and White folks, so her speaking as that faux AAVE in her rap and acting is foul.

[@LargerThanCats]

@@nikosfilipino EXACTLY! Thank you, are we going to make hit pieces now on black girls talking like valley girls?

[@WrangleMcDangle]

hoff twins 100% speak like that for real lol

[@danvey2560]

DUDE you hit the nail on the head so many times in this video! Very good video. It's a shame it has to be explained in the first place.

[@Chill_330]

Wow This is amazing!! Well executed and absolutely amazing!! It made me think I might be using AAVE unintentionally!! Black people deserve so much better!!

[@jarule275]

She grew up in QUEENS....done. Her friends, her corner store, her Dr..... Sounded similar. There's no Convo here. When people live and love together the lines between "race" get blurred. My friends growing up: 4 black dudes, 3 Pakistani, 4 white dudes and 2 Asians. We all talked the same.

[@justrandom702]

She grew up in Floral park lol. Ur either not from Queens or being dumb. No one sounds like that in Floral parks. Even ppl who went to her high school (Laguardia) called her out. One of the most privileged high schools in NYC.

[@DoctorCyan]

I am surprised people have never hung out with someone who grew up in an urban area... this is literally always how it is. And Awkwafina's accent isn't AAVE, it's just Queens (a mix of many different ethnic accents, black americans being just one)

[@sunnyleong3190]

My generation learned from MTV and this is how hiphop and rap and certain programs like MTV Cribs for example audiovisualized coolness and swag for us. It must not just have stopped since.

[@minamialexfrancisdeguchi2904]

"We can tell the difference between someone who has a genuine respect for the culture and someone who is simply using it because it is trendy" - facts right there

[@bchamp6553]

Great video and conversation. From my 40yo white male perspective, I hear and understand the criticism. From my perspective, hip hop culture has become the predominantly cool culture in America. Even when I was young, growing up in the whitest town America, me and my friends all listened to Pac and Biggie, and Dre/Snoop, and Too Short. So I think it's done out of admiration, and wanting to be part of the cool kids club. I know if I've ever quoted Friday, or Menace, or BitH, it has never been with the intent to mock, it's been because y'all are cool and funny. It is a double-edged sword that your culture has captured the zeitgeist and we all need to check ourselves and make sure we respect where it comes from, but with popularity comes emulation and that's to be expected. Comparing the way Billie appropriates the speech to minstrels is apples to oranges, as the intent couldn't be further from each other.

[@msreen269]

Excellent perspective. I was in the midst of typing out my vantage point before I took the opportunity to listen to the rest of your video. I am glad I stopped and took the time to finish listening to your viewpoint, because the comment I was first going to leave would have pretty much been redundant. Thanks for sharing your outlook. It was very thorough and informative. 👍🏽

[@ericalynn9566]

Great analysis ❤ I'm doing research for a social work assignment I have coming up (getting my bsw) and I'm looking into different types of Implicit stereotyping. I think the "blaccent" issue is something that could be mentioned as Implicit because they are not outright saying that's what they are acting like, but as you said, they are acting like a caricature of black individuals. Which would be Implicit stereotyping I believe.

[@objectiveopinions9989]

my thoughts exactly! i think research on issues like this is so important. (also, thanks for the support 💙 it means a lot)

[@syst3mov3rride]

Well said and well explained sir. Difference between admiration and exaggeration. Awkwafina was raised in Queens so some things she says are organic and other things are definitely hollywood exploit, so I get it. Her street cred is still good with me though.

[@marysollosada5175]

This is the best video on this subject that I've seen. I'm from queens and no one talks like this

[@objectiveopinions9989]

thank you so much ! 💜

[@sophiejew]

I thought the idea was we were meant to laugh at her for sounding do completely different from how you'd expect. Then again she was asked in a video interview about this and she stumbled so much in her response that it makes me doubt it.

[@jimmyholster]

Do I give a shit when people try to mimic my accent ? no...why would I?