Actress and singer Olivia Rodrigo is facing backlash after being accused of using African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and speaking in a “blaccent.”
On Wednesday, the 18-year-old “Driver’s License” singer was trending on Twitter after clips of her using a “blaccent” resurfaced.
The clips, taken from Instagram Live earlier in the year, show the singer interacting with fans and utilizing slang terms that are traditionally spoken in the Black community. In the compilation video posted by a Twitter user, the singer can be heard saying “I be trendin’ that’s crazy” and “I’m emotional AF…it was a long ass time ago girl we been apart…”
olivia rodrigo constantly uses AAVE and it is pissing me off. the blaccent… pic.twitter.com/R3RmcFdjs0
— GiGi (@beytilldawn) July 28, 2021
The Twitter user who posted the compilation video also posted a series of tweets where the singer used AAVE.
"homegirl went platinum in two weeks!!!!!! thank u guys so much!!!!!!" Rodrigo tweeted back in January.
homegirl went platinum in two weeks!!!!!!! thank u guys so so much!!!!!! https://t.co/N9eivmrd4e
— Olivia Rodrigo (@Olivia_Rodrigo) January 24, 2021
I’m crine. y’all are so talented. this is crazy. https://t.co/flTc4GJFdL
— Olivia Rodrigo (@Olivia_Rodrigo) February 4, 2020
boy u best believe imma be watching u kill it as evan. this means the whole world. feeling is so mutual!
— Olivia Rodrigo (@Olivia_Rodrigo) January 13, 2020
happy birthday yung queen!
— Olivia Rodrigo (@Olivia_Rodrigo) January 25, 2020
AHHH UR A STUNNA
— Olivia Rodrigo (@Olivia_Rodrigo) January 27, 2020
Earlier this month, the teen met with President Joe Biden to encourage young people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to stop the spread of the virus and to prevent an uptick in deaths. One Twitter user, however, pointed out “she most definitely didn’t sound like this when she was with [President Joe Biden]," Buzzfeed reported.
she trying mad hard it's so forced
— ًterra (@nblwpjm) July 28, 2021
Other Twitter users joined in and stated that Rodrigo needed to apologize for her behavior.
it’s not my place to talk because i am not black but she needs to take accountability. also i am in no way defending her because what she is doing is wrong. https://t.co/fDfeJBpvB2
— luisa/ mars ! fear street era ! (@cazzieinwilds) July 28, 2021
putting this here bc apparently ppl are trying to defend this? also if you’re not black you shouldnt be apologizing or defending this on behalf on liv..?? this is something she needs to address on her own https://t.co/Erv1vm1ZPK
— ❤️???? (@LIVGL0SS) July 28, 2021
this makes me really upset 🙁 she needs to apologize and if you are a non black person you don’t have a say if it’s offensive
— clinevoid (@clinevoid) July 28, 2021
sorry, as a Livie I think the best thing would be for her to apologize and educate herself. I didn't even know what AAVE was until barely, but I don't think this is a reason to cancel her. I don’t justify her, she must apologize and educate herself.
— ɐןǝıuɐp ???? (@dllivies) July 28, 2021
While some criticized the singer for her actions, others defended her and said they didn't find her use of slang to be offensive.
She is just a product of her generation. This is how every girl at my school talk now, gen z has been so influenced by black culture they don’t even know what they’re doing. ????????
— Jeth???? (@jethminaj) July 29, 2021
Gen z does this a lot cuz they pick up from the internet and think it's cool, don't think she's making fun of anyone for repeating a slang or pronunciation she heard somewhere
— Angelo (@Babyboybum2) July 29, 2021
honey, I say this with all of the love. This is not cultural appropriation. AA culture influences pop culture. Perf ex is how Meg has everyone saying hot girl summer. We are the culture – and our influences has always been seen through the youth.
— Morgan M. ???? (@MorganMich5) July 28, 2021
A few Twitter users saw it apt to educate some on why members of the Black community frown upon her use of slang.
"…at the end of the day black folks definitely get discriminated against for using AAVE," one user wrote.
I can see why ppl don’t think it’s that serious, but for me this is just annoying bc at the end of the day black folks definitely get discriminated against for using AAVE. Technically she’s not hurting anyone BUT she is perpetuating some mess and imma DOG HER for it ????
— Chile… (@Thee_Tea7) July 29, 2021
Although Rodrigo may have picked up these slang terms from social media platforms, it doesn't dismiss the fact that some members of the Black community have faced discrimination for the very words that she chose to use in her Instagram livestreams and Twitter posts.