Tiffany Haddish Responds ‘I Didn’t Go To College For That’ When Asked About Hollywood’s Diversity Problem + Social Media Reacts

Tiffany Haddish

Tiffany Haddish Responds ‘I Didn’t Go To College For That’ When Asked About Hollywood’s Diversity Problem + Social Media Reacts

Girl’s Trip breakout star, Tiffany Haddish, has taken a lot of heat in the media recently. Comedian Katt Williams recently declared that she “lacks the ability to tell jokes,” and Gary Owens agreed  – saying she “hasn’t done enough in the stand up realm that has stuck out.” Well, one mass group of people disagree – the Television Academy. After accepting her Emmy award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, a People magazine representative asked Tiffany her thoughts on how the industry can be diversified. She asked:

“The opening was great with all the talks of diversity and how its the most diverse group of nominees ever. But Twitter right now kind of seems to have a backlash about how there have only been white winners tonight, and how we still have so far to go, and how we have so many wonderful actors and writers in the categories that were nominated. Do you have thoughts of how we could kind of get to that next hurdle?”

Tiffany insisted that she can only control what she brings to the industry. She answered:

“Girl, no, I don’t know how to do that, and I didn’t go to college for that. I didn’t go to college at all, nor do I know how to solve problems like that. If you was asking me how to structure a joke, I could help you with that part. But, what you talking about now – I don’t know. I dont know. All I know is how to do my job. That’s somebody else’s job. I don’t know that. Can’t answer that for you. But I won!”

Social media’s response to Tiffany’s answer has been polarized between bashing and defending her. Twitter users @xoivyy and @PeterKovacs_ believe she should have given a more concise answer, and avoided falling into a stereotype.

“Tiffany Haddish isn’t tired of fulfilling Hollywood’s “loud ignorant black woman” narrative, yet? Oh.”

Tiffany Haddish isn’t tired of fulfilling Hollywood’s “loud ignorant black woman” narrative, yet? Oh.

— bambi. (@xoivyy) September 27, 2018

“I can’t bear listening to Tiffany Haddish”

I can’t bear listening to Tiffany Haddish

— P. (@PeterKovacs_) September 27, 2018

Users @FilmFatale_NYC and @KirkWrites79 feel that the diversity problem is not Tiffany’s responsibility, and that viewers shouldn’t expect Black creatives to account for it.

“I’m not interested whether you think Tiffany Haddish’s response was to your liking. I’m tired of PoC creatives being asked this question. KEEP THAT SAME ENERGY FOR THE WHITE CREATIVES AND GATEKEEPERS IN HOLLYWOOD RESPONSIBLE.”

I’m not interested whether you think Tiffany Haddish’s response was to your liking. I’m tired of PoC creatives being asked this question. KEEP THAT SAME ENERGY FOR THE WHITE CREATIVES AND GATEKEEPERS IN HOLLYWOOD RESPONSIBLE. pic.twitter.com/74U0GvLOgq

— ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) September 27, 2018

“400+ TV shows. Only 40 willing to show their room. Most of those rooms are run by women and people of color. But, we’re still asking Black people about diversity?

Media is not doing its job. Because, people like Tiffany Haddish have nothing to do with the diversity problem.”

400+ TV shows. Only 40 willing to show their room. Most of those rooms are run by women and people of color. But, we’re still asking Black people about diversity?

Media is not doing its job. Because, people like Tiffany Haddish have nothing to do with the diversity problem.

— Kirk Moore (@KirkWrites79) September 27, 2018

What do you think of Tiffany Haddish’s answer?

Written by Miata Shanay