Tourette’s/BAFTAs offensive language

[Lochroy]

I wasn’t watching, I’ve just read the article on BBC news. I will admit I know little of Tourette’s and therefore posting to understand.

The tics agree involuntary, and often use offensive language. But what I’m struggling to get my head around is excusing use of the N word because it was caused by the disability when it was (seemingly) only directed at black people?

Also presumably it’s learned vocab so children don’t have swear words as tics? How does this develop?

It was announced at the start and during the ceremony.

There's a possibility they were offended and not keen on how it was broadcast though?

I wrote a long reply on the other deleted thread so here it is again.

I have a neurological involuntary movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia that was caused by some prescribed off label antipsychotic called Pericyazine, after a head injury and post concussion syndrome.

Unfortunately it is a bit like Tourette's and Parkinson's disease combined and includes involuntary movements of my face and body, and occasionally the symptoms include Tourettisms - tic-like sounds such as repeating my own words. Luckily I don't swear with this symptom, but if i did, I'd be educating others about my condition and making them look into how it works. Dopamine dysfunction is a part of both Tourette's and Parkinson's, and my TD, so.we really can't bloody help it.

Michael J Fox is a hero of mine too, and I believe anyone who's in the public eye with these shitty conditions are brilliant.

Living with a neurological condition is crappy, and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone ever.

DeftWasp
Yep, I think that's what the OP meant - just watched the news piece on it on C4.
I find it interesting that the N word was used when two black guys were on stage, rather than some random profanity.
I'm not suggesting it wasn't a genuine tic moment, but I'm interested to see that the tic may be focussed on a particular situation.

I find it interesting that the N word was used when two black guys were on stage, rather than some random profanity.

But that is the whole point!!!

Because people with Tourette's know it is a racist word, and it becomes so overwhelming with being the word they DON'T want to say and gets bigger, and bigger and BIGGER until

it BURSTS out

John actually should how un-racist he is - because he was so trying not to say it and the pressure was too much

If people don't see the correlation between him saying this to black men, and shouting "fuck the Queen" to the Queen (again - KNOWING FULL WELL HE SHOULDN'T!!) then I despair.

Highly recommend watching ‘I swear I can’t help it’ the documentary behind the ‘I swear’ film. It is brilliant at explaining Tourette’s and includes a child diagnosed at 8 years old who is doing really well at 15. Also of course, all about John. You will never judge him after watching this.

Why would he or why should he?? It’s his disability it’s quite unbelievable how badly educated people are in this subject. It’s involuntary him shouting that word. It literally forces him to shout the most obscene words do you not think he's punished enough living with that day in day out.

Its exactly the same because he can’t help it

I mean, did you miss that bit?? Or are you just being ableist, or goady?

Black people can still be harmed by this.

What are you not getting.

Clearly some on here think he needs a bit more punishing. It's so depressing.

I disagree tbh because I think I would be completely fine with it if I knew afterwards the person was a Tourette’s sufferer. I really cannot imagine a single thing someone could say to me that I would not forgive knowing their condition - and I’m really going to some dark places to try and think of the worst things someone could say.

Black people now use the N word to each other . Like gay people use the word Queer which was once an insult . When I was young calling someone black was deemed insulting , the polite word was coloured . Times change . The man who said the N word was probably mortified . It is an awful disability to cope with .

He absolutely understands it. He can't control it.

I felt terrible for the actors onstage and that the apology was not immediately made to them, then the explanation of why it happened. Its still a hurtful, awful word and the stunned look on their faces was so terrible to see.

Of course it should have been edited out. It doesn’t matter what the intention of the person shouting it was or wasn’t. What matters is how it will be perceived by those to whom the BBC chose to broadcast it.

In this case the BBC chose to broadcast it to the public; thereby legitimising every school playground racist who shouts that slur at other kids.

The BBC cannot claim to have Tourette’s; it just chose to show racial slurs because if doesn’t think they matter. Contemptible.

Who knew so many people on here had done their NVQ level 2 in How To Definitely Say What Is And Isn't Abuse Like It's Totally Clear Cut? Not me.

There are notable black people who are calling JD racist. Yes they should “man up” or stop blaming a disabled man. Being black doesn’t make them always right or mean that we shouldn’t call them out for Theo own prejudices

I'd already assumed that at least some of the people being so vociferous in their defence of the remarkable disability campaigner, John Davidson, were racists - and in no way, whatsoever, gave a shiny shit about disability and how affects people on a daily basis - but well done for making it so obvious.

Thanks for the detailed explanation, had no idea that is how it works, I assumed a random word just popped out.

Awful thing to have to live with.

And you would be correct if we weren’t talking about someone with a disability whose intent was not to use it in an offensive way. People on here are indicating the word is triggering. I’m just stating that if it’s triggering, then it’s triggering in every context surely?

This is utterly vile!!! ‘Limited’??? What does that mean. Lock him up and throw away the key???

Yes, quite. Apparently he said the slur three times - two of those were to women. He apparently said it to one of the black women working on Sinners, outside of the ceremony.

Explaining rather than apologising is exactly the right approach, as it's important to draw that clear distinction that this is a tic, there was no intent to abuse.
Implying as you do that he's actually a racist is really awful.

Or maybe he’s suffering from his medical condition and he can’t make a statement right now. It’s incredibly ableist to assume he is racist