Comedian Tiffany Haddish has sparked controversy online after sharing a video of her visit to a grocery store in Zimbabwe, expressing surprise at its size and variety. The video, which has since gone viral, shows Haddish touring the supermarket and marveling at its offerings.
In the clip, Haddish can be heard saying, “Look at the grocery store. It’s beautiful. It’s huge. It’s absolutely humongous. In Africa, baby. Believe it. I just like demystifying things.” She points out various food items, including strawberries, sugarcane, and dates, showing her astonishment at the well-stocked shelves.
The video drew criticism from social media users, with one user questioning, “Tiffany Haddish is surprised that there are grocery stores in Africa? What’s wrong with these people?” The backlash stems from the perception that Haddish’s comments perpetuate outdated and inaccurate stereotypes about Africa.
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Haddish, in a now-deleted tweet, explained her reaction. She stated that she had been “told for years that people are starving in Africa, shown pictures of babies with flies on them, and heard crazy stories of how they kill each other and there is war every day there.” She mentioned that when she asked her Black friends to travel with her to Africa, they were scared due to these misconceptions.
Continuing her response, Haddish wrote, “We got here and I have been eyes full of tears finding out the truth. The media be lying. I thought I would share because I know people in the USA that believe Africans don’t have anything.” She emphasized her intention to dispel these myths by showcasing the reality of modern African life.
Despite her explanation, the video and her comments have ignited a conversation about the need for more accurate representations of Africa in media and the importance of challenging stereotypes. Haddish’s experience highlights the persistent misconceptions many people still hold about the continent and underscores the power of firsthand experience in changing perceptions.
