Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings‘ star Awkwafina issued a lengthy statement on her Twitter page on Saturday in response to criticism by the press and on social media about her so-called use of a ‘blaccent’ or a Black accent.

Responding to her critics, the Queens-born Asian American comedian explained her upbringing as well as her view on racial dynamics.

Awkwafina first acknowledged the struggles faced by the African American community and the “sociopolitical context” of the same.

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She said that African Americans were “disproportionately affected by institutionalized policies and law enforcement policies,” adding that African Americans “have historically and routinely seen their culture stolen, exploited, and appropriated by the *dominant* culture for monetary gain without any acknowledgement or respect for where those roots come from.”

The 33-year-old also went on to address contemporary use of African American Vernacular English (AAVE), saying that “linguistic acculturation, immigrant acculturation, and the inevitable passage of globalized internet all play a factor in the fine line between offense and pop culture.”

She went on to say, “But as a non-black POC, I stand by the fact that I will always listen and work tirelessly to understand the history and context of AAVE, what is deemed appropriate or backwards toward the progress of ANY and EVERY marginalized group. But I must emphasize: To mock, belittle, or to be unkind in any way possible at the expense of others is: Simply. Not. My. Nature. It never has, and it never was.”

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“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,” the 33-year-old further wrote on Twitter, explaining her background.

“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,” she added, highlighting the cultural difficulties that confront immigrants.

“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. We do this first by failing, learning, acknowledging, hearing and empathizing… And I will continue, tirelessly, to do just that,” Awkwafina concluded.

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After posting the statement, the 33-year-old also announced her departure from Twitter through a tweet, which read, “Well, I’ll see you in a few years, Twitter – per my therapist. To my fans, thank you for continuing to love and support someone who wishes they could be a better person for you. I apologize if I ever fell short, in anything I did. You’re in my heart always.”

Apart from her role in Marvel‘s ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’, Awkwafina is also famous for her roles in comedy films such as ‘Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising’ (2016), ‘Ocean’s 8’ (2018), ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ (2018).