Tiffany Haddish Defends Controversial TikTok Video of Zimbabwe Supermarket Visit
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American comedian Tiffany Haddish has addressed the backlash over her recent TikTok video showcasing a supermarket in Zimbabwe, explaining that her intent was to challenge the stereotype of constant conflict in Africa.
Tiffany Haddish faced criticism from some Zimbabweans on social media after posting a video where she toured a supermarket chain in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. In the video, Haddish expresses amazement at the store’s size and variety, saying, “Look at this grocery store. It’s humungous, in Africa,” as she pans across shelves stocked with soft drinks, frozen meat, and fresh fruit.
The video, which has garnered over 200,000 views on TikTok, sparked a wave of negative reactions. One user on X (formerly Twitter) criticized her perspective, saying, “How ignorant could she be? Did she think that Africans shop on rocks? She needs to travel more and unclog her sadly colonized view of the world. Yikes.”
Another commented, “They think we’re chasing lions and zebras.” A third user highlighted the flawed American perceptions of Africa, noting, “Americans have a misguided perception of Africa, believing that its inhabitants live in primitive conditions, residing in mud huts, lacking access to clean water, and being devoid of modern amenities like electricity and internet.”
Haddish responded to X to clarify her position, acknowledging that she had been taught a false narrative about Africa. “I am an American, a Black one at that, and told for years that people are starving in Africa, showed pictures of babies with flies on them,” she said.
Tiffany Haddish added that she had heard “crazy stories” about Africans “killing each other” and constant warfare. She emphasized that her visit to Zimbabwe had been eye-opening, allowing her to “find out the truth” about the continent. “I thought I would share cause I know people in the USA that believe Africans don’t have anything,” she wrote.
Some supporters have come to Haddish’s defense. One commenter noted, “We like that you like our grocery store and all the products that shocked you are just basics here as well. We aren’t in the forest hanging on trees.”
Haddish, who is half-Eritrean, first visited Eritrea in 2018. During her visit, she praised long-time ruler Isaias Afwerki, despite his critics labeling him a “dictator.”
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