According to The Blast Tiffany Haddish recently came under heavy criticism for a video she made strolling through a grocery store in Zimbabwe.
The comedian and actress was called ‘ignorant’ for acting surprised by the quality of the produce in the store.
In the TikTok clip, she tried to use an “African” accent when she said the word “Zimbabwe.”
Haddish said:
“Hey, y’all. So I’m out here in Zimbabwe? They got a grocery store! It’s beautiful.”
Haddish then highlighted multiple items she was shocked to find in the store, such as “organic strawberries,” “sugarcane,” and “dates.”
The actress also checked the meat section and said it “didn’t smell bad.” She was impressed with the presence of a frozen food section and “a whole wall of alcohol.”
Watch:
Tiffany Haddish is surprised that there’s a grocery stores in Africa..????? What’s wrong with these people? pic.twitter.com/3oYk3NRrFD
— ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? (@unclescrooch) July 28, 2024
After the TikTok video went viral, many users criticized Haddish for implying that the store was modern for an African country.
Many slammed the “Night School” actress for her “ignorant” reaction to the grocery store, which is a staple for many African countries.
Some fans even heavily abused Haddish, calling her names like a “f-cking idiot” and saying she mocked Zimbabwean people.
Others questioned what was wrong with the comedian that she had to record a reaction to the supermarket and share it online.
Some users also accused Haddish of perpetuating stupid and harmful stereotypes about Africans and how the countries work.
One comment read, “Peak ignorance!!!!” while another person wrote, “You seriously cannot be this ignorant!!!”
This is the city Tiffany Haddish is surprised she saw a supermarket in. https://t.co/s8L5ZS3Yz6
— Bronze Fury (@nkxnnia) July 28, 2024
and
You can't blame Tiffany Haddish when Zimbabwean comedians like Learnmore Jonasi get an American platform like America Got Talent to teach Americans about Africa and they say things like This pic.twitter.com/2ADJYf8HC6
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) July 28, 2024
and
I don't see why people are mad at this Tiffany Haddish's video
She was happily surprised to see such a huge grocery store in Zimbabwe
Last week she was in Cape Town, she didn't make a fuss about their supermarket cuz it's more expected there pic.twitter.com/q3METKyZVT— Bantu King ???? (@BantuKingu) July 29, 2024
Tiffany defended herself by blaming the fake portrayal of African stores by the media.
After the TikTok video went viral and received massive criticism, Haddish finally took to X, formerly Twitter, to give an explanation and defend herself from the hate.
According to the “Girls Trip” actress, she was only trying to demystify the foreign media’s portrayal of Africa and how people purchase food.
“We got here and I have been eyes full of tears finding out the truth. The media be lying,” Haddish said, per TMZ. “I thought I would share ’cause I know people in the USA that believe Africans don’t have anything.”
Haddish also made it clear that she really enjoyed her time in Zimbabwe and felt much safer there than in her home in Los Angeles.
The actress complimented the natural food and encouraged more people to experience Africa for themselves.
Most of Haddish’s comments responding to the criticism were interactions with followers who had called her out for the TikTok post.
One person asked the actress:
“Did you think we ate grass?” and she responded with a message about the portrayal of Africa made by US media.
Her reply was:
“No. But the media had me thinking all of your foods are purchased in out door [sic] markets with goats and cows just hanging out waiting to be slaughtered. With all kinds of smells and flies everywhere.”
In another reply, Haddish explained again that she had a different intention for the TikTok video.
She wrote:
“If they would have showed you the whole video you would have seen me say I am demystifying some bullshit that we have been told and showed in America.”
Despite Haddish’s multiple replies and explanations about the TikTok, some fans only became more frustrated with the comedian.
One person commented:
“[You] have access to literally all channels and books for [you] to be this ignorant.” Another fan wrote, “You could have done your own research and not depend on the media. I mean, Google is free!”
