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Outrage Erupts After Racial Slur Airs During BAFTAs, BBC Under Fire
A recent broadcast of the BAFTA Film Awards by the BBC has ignited widespread anger after a racial slur, reportedly from a guest with Tourette syndrome, was aired unedited. The incident occurred as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, both Black, presented the award for best visual effects.
The slur was heard during the two-hour delayed broadcast on Sunday, Feb. 22, and remained available on the BBC’s streaming service for several hours afterward. The BBC has since issued an apology, stating that while a shout was audible, the specific word was believed to be difficult to discern.
“The BBC has apologised for not editing out a racial slur from its Bafta Film Awards coverage after a guest with Tourette’s syndrome shouted out when two black actors were on stage,” the broadcaster stated, adding, “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional.”
The guest has been identified as John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome advocate and the subject of the BAFTA-nominated biopic “I Swear.” Davidson lives with Coprolalia, a form of Tourette syndrome characterized by involuntary outbursts of obscene or socially inappropriate words. It’s important to note that this specific symptom affects only a minority of individuals with Tourette syndrome.
Reactions Highlight “Impossible,” “Volatile” Situation
The decision to air the slur and the subsequent handling of the situation have drawn sharp criticism from celebrities and journalists alike, who question the BBC’s priorities in its apologies.
Journalist Jemele Hill expressed her frustration on X, stating, “Asking for more grace for the person who shouted a racist slur instead of for Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, who had to push through being embarrassed in front of their peers.
But that’s often the expectation – that Black people are just supposed to be ok with being disrespected and dehumanized so that other people don’t feel bad.” Actor Wendell Pierce echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that apologies to Lindo and Jordan should have taken precedence.
Hannah Beachler, a production designer for “Sinners,” also shared her experience of being targeted by one of Davidson’s outbursts, calling it an “impossible situation.” She criticized the BBC’s “throw away apology of ‘if you were offended,'” asserting that the cast and crew were indeed offended.
Variety awards editor Clayton Davis placed the primary blame on BAFTA and the BBC, noting their failure to edit out the slur and then allowing the uncontextualized clip to circulate, which he described as “pour[ing] gasoline on an already volatile situation.” Davis further highlighted that the BBC had managed to edit out a “Free Palestine” remark by filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr., suggesting an inconsistency in their editing decisions.
Lindo’s Disappointment and On-Stage Explanations
Following the ceremony, Delroy Lindo told Vanity Fair that while he and Jordan continued with their presentation, he wished “someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterwards.”
During the award show, host Alan Cumming briefly addressed Davidson’s outbursts multiple times, explaining that “strong language in the background” could be a manifestation of Tourette’s syndrome. According to Variety and Deadline, other expletives and remarks were heard throughout the evening, including during an introductory speech and an award acceptance.