Yeah… Just… Yeah… I mean… Yeah… I’m sure you know what I’m talking about if you’re on any social media, have friends on social media, or have stepped outside in the past week, I know you know what I’m talking about.
But if you are unaware of the current issue under discussion, I will quickly summarize the recent controversy that occurred at the BAFTA awards. Well, early in the night, two of the stars of the 2025 “Sinners”, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were in the middle of presenting an award during the ceremony when a racial slur was said from a man in the audience. The man responsible for the slur, John Davidson, is a campaigner from Scotland who is an activist for Tourette’s and has been vocal in voicing his experience of living with the disease. Characterized as uncontrollable actions, both physically and vocally, Tourette’s Syndrome is a disease that causes people to perform and say things out of their control. And with this explained, would have explained and excused Davidson’s behavior at the award show. Well, it would have if it had not been the word in which Davidson said to the two black actors.
Now, let me preface this by saying the following: I, as a young writer, do not understand or have experience with Tourette’s since I do not experience the disease myself. I simply would just like to address and speak on my thoughts and emotions following the recent controversy as a young black woman.
First, I understand that Tourette’s syndrome is a disease that cannot be controlled. I am mainly upset about the word he used. I mean, when you see two black actors on stage, I ask, why is that the first word that comes to mind? Why not something else? Why, when seeing two black actors on the stage, did Davidson yell that racial slur, which is littered in a horrific history? While Tourette’s Syndrome is an uncontrollable disease, I cannot excuse his behavior, and I should not have to. I stand by the belief that accidents do not erase or excuse the impact they leave behind and should consequently not be dismissed solely because they are unintentional.
And BAFTA’s handling of the situation? Even worse. Why apologize to the crowd first instead of making the effort to first apologize to Jordan and Lindo? You know, the two men to whom the slur was directed? And why also not bleep it out? Why leave the word in there? So, when someone makes a statement about “Freeing Palestine”, a statement that wants nothing but peace and an end to violence, that too is controversial, but a racial slur is fine? Make that make sense to me. And, I’m trying not to say this in my argument, but I just have to say…during Black History Month? Really?
