March 18th, 2021

Nora Lum, known professionally as Awkwafina, is an American actress, comedian, internet personality, rapper, author, and television host. She became the first woman of Asian descent to win a Golden Globe as a lead film actress. She has also been nominated for a BAFTA, a Critic's Choice Award, and Satellite Award.

Out of Awkwafina’s many accolades the thing that sticks out to me the most is her ability to write and perform female characters with no apology. Her character’s at times are messy, hilariously prone to error and undeniably lovable. In the media, women are oftentimes heralded as “graceful perfect angels” or overlooked completely. It is so refreshing to see Awkwafina bring to life characters who are charming, immature, slapstick funny, rough around the edges, who don’t have all the answers, and are unmistakably human.

It is so important to honor the achievements of trailblazers and solidify them in history, but more importantly we should remember their humanity and assign equal value to them whether they are graceful, articulate, messy, loud, quiet, funny, smart or even just average.

So here is to seeing another 50 years of Awkwafina breaking through glass ceilings and reminding us all to embrace the different facets that make us...us!