The British Academy Film Awards, known as BAFTA, and the BBC issued public apologies after a racial slur was captured live during the ceremony on Sunday at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The incident occurred while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, black stars of the film Sinners, presented the award for best visual effects.
The origin of the racial slur: an involuntary tic
The racial slur, a highly offensive word, was shouted by John Davidson, a Scottish activist with Tourette’s syndrome. Davidson, who inspired the nominated I Swear – winner of two BAFTA awards, including best actor for Robert Aramayo–, expressed himself as “deeply mortified”. He explained that his tics do not reflect his beliefs and left the auditorium early due to the anxiety caused.
The presenter Alan Cumming had previously alerted the audience to Davidson’s presence and apologized on the spot for the “strong and offensive language”, clarifying that the tics are involuntary.
Institutional reactions to the racial slur
Apologies from BAFTA and BBC
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts regretted the “offensive language that conveys incomparable trauma and pain”, praising the “dignity and professionalism” of Jordan and Lindo. The BBC, which broadcast the gala two hours later, failed to edit the racial slur in time; the content was removed from iPlayer and an announcement was made to correct it.
Defense of Tourette’s syndrome
Tourettes Action urged understanding: “Tics are involuntary and do not reflect intentions”, according to its director Emma McNally. This neurological disorder causes sudden movements or sounds, exacerbated by anxiety. The American Tourette Syndrome Association indicates that 10-15% of affected individuals experience coprolalia, vocal tics with unacceptable words.
- Key statistic: Affects 1 in 160 children, according to the NIH.
- Context: Suppressed tics generate accumulated tension.
Representatives of Sinners did not comment. This incident highlights the intersection of disability and racial sensitivity in public events like the BAFTA. The involuntary racial slur generates debate on inclusion and editing in live broadcasts, recalling previous cases of tics in British media.
