As social media grows, we see more creators building online personalities to appear naturally funny and “unapologetically themselves.” But if you look a little closer, you might notice that many of these creators are not as genuine as they seem. They put on a performance to appeal to their audience. You may notice a large number of creators and celebrities, who are not Black, use mannerisms and linguistics rooted in Black American speech patterns. This is the concept of a “blaccent,” which refers to the imitation of Black American speech patterns and slang used by non-Black people. This is not a new concept; it is the structure of “Gen Z culture” in modern-day social media
The term combines the word “Black” with “accent,” used to describe an accent used by non-Black people to imitate African American Vernacular English (AAVE). It’s like “talking Black.” According to linguists, AAVE isn’t categorized as slang, but rather a distinct dialect with cultural roots dating back to the era of slavery. When this form of speech is used by non-Black people casually or humorously, it takes away the context and becomes performative. This linguistic performance is often used for comedic purposes to exaggerate one’s tone and body language to appear funny or “real.” What isn’t seen is how the traits, expressed by African Americans, have been mocked throughout history.
Gen Z loves people who appear natural and unfiltered. On many platforms, “being yourself” is a skill that is heavily marketable, but what does it mean when that authenticity is being borrowed? Gen Z creators often build their internet persona around humor and personality. A lot of these are traits that Black culture has built on through music and language. When white and non-Black creators mimic those traits, they’re called ‘original’ and ‘bold,’ but when a Black creator speaks or acts with those same traits, they are stereotyped as ‘ghetto’ and ‘unprofessional.’ Recognize this is the double standard.
Black culture will set a trend, yet non-Black creators often get praised for it. A very common example of this is trending slang like “Periodt,” “Slay,” “Giving,” “Cap,” “Rizz,” “Bet,” “Ate,” etc. The words and phrases did not come from the internet, but from Black communities. As soon as they cross into mainstream culture, white influencers pick up on them, and the source is forgotten. In the same way, the ballroom finger clap (the middle finger to the thumb clap) that originated in black queer culture gained popularity through TikTok and lost its meaning.
Speaking this way may look harmless, like a way of talking that everyone uses online, but it has layers, rooted in power and privilege. When AAVE is treated like a fashion trend or as laughable, the meaning disappears. Stripping it down to a meme makes it empty. Non-Black creators can use this dialect for appeal and then switch it off when it’s convenient; Black people can’t.
Pop culture has praised black culture while also marginalizing black people for so long. A largely discussed celebrity is Chinese-American, Awkwafina, born Nora Lum. She initially gained fame from rap parodies and comedy that leaned heavily on this form of dialect. In her early career, her speech mimicked that of Black women from hip-hop culture, particularly in early rap songs like “My Vag.” Critics argued that her exaggerated style of “talking Black” has helped her stand out in a white dominated industry. However, as she rose in popularity and starred in films like Crazy Rich Asians and Shang-Chi, the accent quickly disappeared. We see this in her Vogue interview, “73 Questions With Awkwafina.”
African American performers often code-switch away from AAVE to be seen as “professional.” Alex Consani, A White American Model and Influencer, is one of the biggest influencers of this generation and is praised for her humor and “unfiltered personality.” She is very funny and seems completely natural, but her tone and speech often mirror that of Black Twitter and TikTok audiences. The appeal is clear. She has a natural, funny persona that social media praises. A lot of times, she leans into speech patterns linked back to AAVE for comedy and making skits, even though this is not her normal way of speaking. We can see this in “Alex Consani Talks TikTok, Charli xcx, and Modeling Advice.” When she softens her tone, it sounds much closer to her natural cadence. This switch matters; it shows that the dialect functions as a performance tool and not an authentic part of her voice. She uses it as a comedic device that white influencers have in the past tried to mimic to appear more animated or land a joke. Alex Consani does not have hostile or harmful intent, but it highlights a larger issue. People are so desensitized that this behavior becomes normal even if there is no harm intended. This form of dialect is treated as a costume that others can put on whenever they want, and take off whenever they want to be taken seriously. This paints AAVE as a joke.
Gen Z is known for being socially aware or “woke”(originally meant to be aware of social and racial injustice), but this awareness must reach farther than reposting something you saw online. This means recognizing that “internet culture” always has a starting point and doesn’t appear out of nowhere. A large amount of Gen Z culture is built on a Black vision and rooted in the culture, and marketed so it can be profitable for others. But taking inspiration from the culture isn’t the issue; historically, culture has always evolved through exchange. The issue lies in the exploitation when the people who created this style are erased and punished for it; it becomes more like theft. In the end, it’s not just about speech; it’s about who is being celebrated for “being themselves” and who is being punished for the same thing. If Gen Z truly is socially aware, it has to start recognizing where its culture comes from and making sure the origins are not forgotten.
