via Live Nation Middle East
Hollywood star and stand-up comedian Kevin Hart is internationally known, whether through his roles in movies like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Think Like a Man or live comedy specials on Netflix. He is a superstar capable of leaving crowds in heaps of laughter.
And that is why many were pumped to hear Hart’s “Reality Check” tour is making a pit stop in Cairo next February at Cairo Stadium. But the joy over the news didn’t last long after his many disclaimers regarding Egyptian history and ancestry were made public.
via Wikipedia
What Is Afrocentrism?
Afrocentrism is a movement created in the 1950s by African American activists. This movement began following African Americans’ struggles with their rights and abilities to explain their needs to the Americans due to the difference in cultures.
Afrocentrism stands against integrating into the cultures and heritages of White and Western civilisation. Instead, it explores the historical origins of African heritage with a focus on their history and culture. In some forms of Afrocentrism, ancient Egyptian Pharaohs are described as dark-skinned people of African descent.
via CNN
Why Kevin Is Under Turmoil in Cairo
Following his public announcement to bring his live comic event to Egypt, many Egyptians responded that the star was not welcome in Egypt due to his Afrocentric beliefs and called for the cancellation of his show.
Hart has made declarations in the past suggesting that U.S. schools should teach kids about the Pharaonic history of Africans rather than solely focusing on slavery. He stated that the ancient kings were of African descent, ignoring Egyptian civilisation. Hart additionally bought a publishing house in the States, aiming to spread awareness of this notion of Afrocentrism depicting the ancient rulers of Egypt as Africans.
According to the Egyptian public, Hart’s Afrocentric views come as problematic as they rewrite Egyptian history and suggest that it belongs to Africans rather than Egyptians. For this reason, individuals are creating and spreading campaigns to cancel the comedian’s Cairo show and Hart himself. Despite this, Hart seems unaware of the controversy surrounding his visit to Egypt as he has released a video expressing his excitement for the upcoming event.
