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Tourette’s/BAFTAs offensive language

1000 replies

Lochroy · 23/02/2026 16:37

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?

OP posts:
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Oblivionnnnn · 23/02/2026 21:38

Alucard55 · 23/02/2026 21:14

Completely agree. He should have left the room. He may not have control over what he says but in this circumstance he had control over where he said it. He/his wife must have anticipated as 2 black men where being introduced onto the stage that there was a good chance he would shout out something racist.

But what if he saw a woman or an overweight person or someone wearing glasses or a very low cut dress…

You can’t screen life in real time like that when you have a disability that takes over you every minute of every day. He would become a shut in - which apparently some people on this thread are pretty keen on.

DotAndCarryOne2 · 23/02/2026 21:38

TheEdenSide · 23/02/2026 21:35

Why do people keep making this ridiculous comparison?!

Running over someone’s foot ina wheelchair causes pain and is probably from being a little careless of someone near you. People with Tourette’s are simply going about their day and something pops out that is NOTHING to do with anyone. People on wheelchairs don’t spend all day running over people’s feet, but people with Tourette’s do go around shouting expletives. They’d do nothing but apologise if they took your view. Why should they live that life just because of other people’s ignorance?

The correct analogy is apologising for simply being in a wheelchair. Presumably you’re against that?

Absolutely this. In essence he is being asked to apologise for being disabled.

TheEdenSide · 23/02/2026 21:38

SpaceRaccoon · 23/02/2026 20:41

John is a Scottish man, what on earth do lynchings in the American south have to do with him?
Why must everything now be viewed througn an American lens?

Having formerly lived in the US, the belief that every American situation, issue and piece of history must be fully understood, cared about and centred in every other country in the world - whilst simultaneously having an alarming lack of knowledge about the history of other countries - is a bit of a “thing”.

Alucard55 · 23/02/2026 21:39

AccidentallyWesAnderson · 23/02/2026 21:36

So he should just stay indoors at all times?

Not at all. But maybe not sit in an audience at an awards show.

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 23/02/2026 21:39

Alucard55 · 23/02/2026 21:26

No I wouldn't be happy if a kind man living with an awful disability became a recluse. I think there are things we can control and things we can't. JA can't control what he says but he must have know as 2 black men where being introduced to the stage that there was a good chance he would shout out something racist. He could have removed himself from that situation before this happened.

I also think the organisers should have e anticipated this.

That isn't how Tourettes works.

He could know that it's a possibility, sure, just the same way he could walk past someone and called them a paedophile, or a woman and call her a bitch.

You don't know what words will come out until they come out. Or if they will come out at all.

The more you try and hold it in, the more it wants to come out like a dry, tickly coughing fit that makes your eyes water when you're in a public place.

He could have shouted any profanity, or none at all, because that's just how Tourettes is.

And then you say something once, and you feel guilt and shame and it's like that niggly tickly cough, the more you think about holding it in, the more it comes out.

You do not have the processing time to remove yourself before expleting any profanities.

He removed himself as soon as he realised his presence was causing distress. That is all he could do, and he did it. But it isn't enough for some posters.

The only way in the world he could not offend anybody is if he just didn't ever encounter anyone or kept his circle very small, and that is the precise thing he has campaigned all his life against. To be hidden is to be unseen and to be unseen is to never be understood, or accepted. To have no representation. For others with Tourettes to feel they have to hide and feel ashamed or lock themselves away for risk of being harmed by people who willfully misunderstand them, or worse, fully understand them but willfully take offense anyway.

The BBC have done a terrible job at protecting this man and his legacy and also safeguarding it's participants.

The N word is a horrible word. There is absolutely no denying that. However to say it is offensive from someone with no control over the language that leaves their mouth when they've taken every possible precaution bar barricading themselves inside and going against everything they have ever stood for shows a double standard that I had hoped we'd left behind decades ago.

SpaceRaccoon · 23/02/2026 21:39

TheEdenSide · 23/02/2026 21:38

Having formerly lived in the US, the belief that every American situation, issue and piece of history must be fully understood, cared about and centred in every other country in the world - whilst simultaneously having an alarming lack of knowledge about the history of other countries - is a bit of a “thing”.

It's exhausting. I mean even stupid arguments about grass fed beef on X because they're too daft to conceptualise that farming practices differ in other countries.

Mt563 · 23/02/2026 21:39

Alucard55 · 23/02/2026 21:33

Yes I know and I understand. I watched the JA documentaries from years ago.

I'm saying that given the nature of the disability both JA and the organisers must have anticipated racist comments. Did no-one think to suggest JA watched from the bar before 2 black men went on stage.

Should he not go near any black people in case he has a tic? Why are these particular black people different to those he likely sees every day?

I'm not saying it wasn't hurtful
But I really don't see a way to solve this fairly for everyone.

SimpleSingle · 23/02/2026 21:39

Alucard55 · 23/02/2026 21:39

Not at all. But maybe not sit in an audience at an awards show.

Where is he safe to go??

Longtalljosie · 23/02/2026 21:40

I am really unhappy with people thinking one asterisk is all that is necessary when referring to the n word.

I’ve thought deeply about my own view on this because it’s another situation where issues intersect, but actually I do think an expression of regret would have been appropriate. It’s a terrible, evil word for any black person to have to hear. And while it would be ableist to blame him for it, even inadvertent harm should be regretted.

DotAndCarryOne2 · 23/02/2026 21:40

Alucard55 · 23/02/2026 21:33

Yes I know and I understand. I watched the JA documentaries from years ago.

I'm saying that given the nature of the disability both JA and the organisers must have anticipated racist comments. Did no-one think to suggest JA watched from the bar before 2 black men went on stage.

That would be direct discrimination. No-one could have anticipated what happened - he could just as well have said nothing if he wasn’t triggered.

Alucard55 · 23/02/2026 21:40

Oblivionnnnn · 23/02/2026 21:38

But what if he saw a woman or an overweight person or someone wearing glasses or a very low cut dress…

You can’t screen life in real time like that when you have a disability that takes over you every minute of every day. He would become a shut in - which apparently some people on this thread are pretty keen on.

I think there's a different between calling someone a fat bastard and the n word.

TheEdenSide · 23/02/2026 21:40

callmeLoretta1 · 23/02/2026 20:42

Well that there makes me doubt him then. If you hurt someone, you should apologise. He's not apologising for being disabled, he's apologising for hurting someone from a vulnerable minority. Or, does our history of oppression and lynchings no longer count?

No - you’re expecting him to apologise, to say sorry when he did nothing wrong. It’s important disabled people don’t all constantly apologise for their disability, suicide and self esteem are huge issues, let’s not make it worse.

Not everyone centres black Americans - Scottish disabled people are allowed to centre themselves, FYI

crumpet · 23/02/2026 21:41

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Oh please. Read it again. Look up the definitions and stop attributing intent to him without foundation.

PurpleCyclamen · 23/02/2026 21:41

I think editing out his tics is like hiding away a disabled person out of sight like I remember people doing in the 70s. We need to be accommodating and accepting of disabled people.

callmeLoretta1 · 23/02/2026 21:41

Livelovebehappy · 23/02/2026 21:31

I’m afraid you being a self imposed representative speaking on behalf of black people on here is not helping at all. You’re coming across as very angry, aggressive and irrational. No-one is saying that it wasn’t uncomfortable for many black people watching, or on stage. But you can still have a little empathy for someone with a disability which affects them so negatively every minute of every day. Try to see both perspectives here and not just run with your own agenda.

very angry, aggressive and irrational

Ah yes, the 'angry black woman' trope. I forgot to include that on my bingo card. I think some people's racism is so deeply imbedded that they aren't even aware of it when they use these tropes.

TheEdenSide · 23/02/2026 21:41

AnAppleAWeek · 23/02/2026 20:42

Does MN have a reputation for racism?! Really?

Yes it does.

Sure it does

SpaceRaccoon · 23/02/2026 21:41

Longtalljosie · 23/02/2026 21:40

I am really unhappy with people thinking one asterisk is all that is necessary when referring to the n word.

I’ve thought deeply about my own view on this because it’s another situation where issues intersect, but actually I do think an expression of regret would have been appropriate. It’s a terrible, evil word for any black person to have to hear. And while it would be ableist to blame him for it, even inadvertent harm should be regretted.

I've only seen one person use the single-asterisk form on this thread, and it was someone stating that others are racist.

AccidentallyWesAnderson · 23/02/2026 21:41

Alucard55 · 23/02/2026 21:33

Yes I know and I understand. I watched the JA documentaries from years ago.

I'm saying that given the nature of the disability both JA and the organisers must have anticipated racist comments. Did no-one think to suggest JA watched from the bar before 2 black men went on stage.

JD doesn’t know what he’s going to say so how the fuck are the organisers?! INVOLUNTARY. What about those attending with ginger hair? Thin actresses, bigger actresses? Actually just stay at home John and don’t ever leave your house.

Oh if only there was a film to explain this shit to people 🙄.

BuffetTheDietSlayer · 23/02/2026 21:41

Alucard55 · 23/02/2026 21:39

Not at all. But maybe not sit in an audience at an awards show.

You think people with certain disabilities shouldn’t go about their daily lives and take part in what others can?

Your ignorance of Tourette’s Syndrome is astounding and shameful.

TheEdenSide · 23/02/2026 21:41

Possiges · 23/02/2026 20:42

What he said was one of the most offensive words a black person can ever hear. Therein lies the difference. Only an awful ignorant human being cannot apologise for that or understand the scale of the offence.

Can you actually give us a good reason why disabled people should apologise for being disabled?

DotAndCarryOne2 · 23/02/2026 21:42

Alucard55 · 23/02/2026 21:39

Not at all. But maybe not sit in an audience at an awards show.

Congratulations. You win the thread for the most overtly discriminatory and ableist comment.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 23/02/2026 21:43

BigOldBlobsy · 23/02/2026 21:37

Sorry, but this is imbalanced.
Why does one persons needs trump another.
If I had a disability and accidentally hurt someone, I wouldn’t apologise for being me, but I’d apologise for the harm nonetheless!
There is some balance to be had here but plenty on MN believe that no black or brown person should ever be offended if the harm wasn’t meant.

So what do you want them to do, avoid being in public/ around other people -that is completely ridiculous. They cannot help it.

there is a limited to how much saying sorry you can do, and if someone is wanting to punch/attack you/see red then maybe it’s better not to further engage.

Alucard55 · 23/02/2026 21:43

DotAndCarryOne2 · 23/02/2026 21:40

That would be direct discrimination. No-one could have anticipated what happened - he could just as well have said nothing if he wasn’t triggered.

No-one could have anticipated what happened

Come on now. Of course it should have been anticipated.

Well he did and now he's probably very upset about it and to top it off all over the media.

TheEdenSide · 23/02/2026 21:43

callmeLoretta1 · 23/02/2026 20:43

Really? Where has he said that? He hasn't even apologised to the black men on stage. And no, as a black person, the shame is not on me. Wtf is right!

Because he doesn’t owe them an apology.

He’s released a statement saying he’s mortified. He doesn’t owe you or anyone else a display of regret

Now have you bothered your arse to find out a Tourette’s yet? I mean here you are demanding we all find out about lynchings that happened in another country, are you going to find out about the history of oppression of people with Tourette’s?

callmeLoretta1 · 23/02/2026 21:44

TheEdenSide · 23/02/2026 21:32

I suggest you educate yourself on Tourette’s seeing as you admit you know nothing about it. I assure you people living with it don’t NEED to pretend just to say a slur.

But what does history in the US have to do with John Davidson? Why do we need to go away and educate ourselves?

He used a historic slur that originated mainly as a slur for black Americans! That, is what it has to do with US history! It's a US slur! Does that really need the link to be explained?

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