In today’s interconnected world, cultural sensitivity and awareness are crucial. Recently, actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish sparked controversy with a video showcasing her surprise at a well-stocked supermarket in Harare, Zimbabwe.
This analysis will deconstruct the incident, exploring the power dynamics, stereotypes, and cultural insensitivities at play.
Power Dynamics: A Lens of Superiority
As a Black American, Haddish’s reaction filled with astonishment and excitement, reinforces a paternalistic gaze.
Her tone implies that she expected Zimbabwe to be underdeveloped, perpetuating a stereotype that Africa is backward.
This lens of superiority neglects the agency and modernity of African nations, reducing them to ‘exoticised others’.
Tiffany Haddish claims she was misled by American media and expected to see people buying goods in open markets with goats being slaughtered on the way.
Fair enough. But why did her astonishment begin in a supermarket alone when she had already been to the airport?
For someone with a serene mind, she should have expected to land on a hilltop given the level of backwardness she ignorantly expected.
Just as America has both modern cities and rural areas with different characteristics, Tiffany Haddish failed to recognise that Zimbabwe also has its own urban and rural contrasts, rather than generalising her contrived perceptions to the entire country.
Stereotyping Africa:
Haddish’s surprise demonstrates a lack of understanding about Africa’s diversity and complexity.
Her comments “In Africa, baby. Yeah. Believe it.” essentialise the continent, ignoring the unique experiences of individual nations.
This perpetuates harmful stereotypes, solidifying Africa’s position as the ‘unknown’ or ‘undeveloped’ other.
Cultural Insensitivity:
The video’s tone and content are cringeworthy, showcasing Haddish’s ignorance about Zimbabwean culture.
Her excitement over Western products like organic strawberries reinforces a Eurocentric worldview, disregarding local perspectives and customs.
This cultural insensitivity is a slap in the face to Zimbabweans, implying their modernity is only valid when measured against Western standards.
Research and Responsibility
Haddish can claim to have done research, but her actions suggest otherwise.
Western media’s negative portrayal of Africa and Zimbabwe is true, but Haddish’s ignorance is inexcusable, especially given her apparent ulterior motives, a simple Google search could have provided more accurate information.
Her failure to engage meaningfully with local contexts demonstrates a lack of respect and responsibility as a global citizen.
It can be emphasised that, Haddish’s video is a prime example of cultural insensitivity, perpetuating stereotypes and power imbalances.
As global villagers, we must acknowledge and challenge these dynamics, promoting cross-cultural understanding and respect.
Haddish must apologise and reflect on her actions, using this incident as a teachable moment for personal growth and cultural awareness.
By critically examining this incident, we can foster a more inclusive and empathetic global community, recognising the complexities and modernities of diverse cultures worldwide.