Comedian Kevin Hart’s show in Cairo was abruptly canceled amidst a flurry of backlash from Egyptians after he reportedly claimed that ancient Egyptian Pharaohs were black. This incident has sparked a debate over historical accuracy and cultural sensitivity around the world.
Though it’s unclear where the statement originated, Hart reportedly stated that “We must teach our children the true history of Black Africans when they were kings in Egypt and not just the era of slavery that is cemented by education in America. Do you remember the time when we were kings?”
This statement has been met with staunch opposition in Egypt, particularly on social media platforms such as Twitter. One user said Hart was promoting “Afrocentrism” and that it would lead to modern Egyptians feeling like they are being “occupied” by African people. They urged everyone to participate in the campaign to cancel Hart’s concert.
The objective of the Afrocentrist movement is to emphasize the contribution of black individuals to the formation of Western civilization and their significance in history. Nevertheless, Hart faced criticism from his opponents who accused him of misrepresenting historical facts and disregarding the Arabs’ connection to their country’s ancient past after Hart asserted that Black Africans were once rulers of Egypt.
Due to the outrage, Middle East Eye reported that the cancellation was due to “public pressure” and the impact that “controversial statements” from Hart had on national sentiment.
Earlier this year, new images of ancient Egyptian Pharoahs were created, revealing some of the most famous ancient leaders resemble their modern descendants.
Ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II's 'handsome' face revealed in striking reconstruction https://t.co/WFPn2nN9En
— Live Science (@LiveScience) January 11, 2023
While Afrocentrism may be on the rise in the United States, the incident may serve as a reminder to American culture warriors that their view of the world may not be shared with the diverse cultures they claim to support in their daily politics.
