Tiffany Haddish Defends TikTok Video Showcasing Zimbabwe’s Supermarket

American comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish has defended a recent TikTok video she filmed during her visit to a supermarket in Zimbabwe. The video, intended to challenge the stereotype that Africa is perpetually embroiled in conflict and poverty, has sparked a mix of backlash and support online.

The video, which has garnered over 200,000 views, captures Haddish expressing her amazement at the extensive variety of goods available in a Harare supermarket. As she scanned the shelves, she remarked, “Look at this grocery store. It’s humongous, in Africa.”

Tiffany Haddish is surprised that there’s a grocery stores in Africa..?😕 What’s wrong with these people? pic.twitter.com/3oYk3NRrFD

— 𝗢𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗲 🔥🚀 (@unclescrooch) July 28, 2024

However, her comments did not sit well with some Zimbabweans on social media. Critics quickly questioned her perception, with one user on X asking, “Did she think that Africans shop from rocks?”

In response to the criticism, Haddish took to X to clarify her intentions. She explained that, as an American, she had been exposed to a “false narrative” about Africa, filled with images of war and poverty.

“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 wrote. Haddish shared that her visit to Zimbabwe was enlightening and helped her see the reality of the continent, countering the stereotypes she had grown up with.

While some criticized her for her apparent surprise, Haddish also received a wave of support. One supporter commented, “We like that you like our grocery store and all the products that shocked you are just basics here as well.” 

Haddish, who is of Eritrean descent, previously visited Eritrea in 2018 and expressed admiration for its long-time ruler, Isaias Afwerki, despite his critics labeling him a “dictator.” This previous visit added context to her recent trip and her attempts to challenge misconceptions about Africa.

Nevertheless, some fans have called for Haddish to issue an unqualified apology for her remarks. Addressing the criticism, Haddish later commented, “I believe most of the bad things that have happened in my life are my fault. I choose to be friends with people that weren’t actually my friends. That truly didn’t care about me, they wanted to use me and I let them. Shame on me for not trusting my instincts. Lessons learned.”