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?

My problem is the stonking ableism on this thread. Duh

And in apologising for the hurt his disability caused, he WOULD BE apologising for his disability. You cannot see separate the two. As a disability campaigner he should not set this precedent. And as for not mention MBJ and DL in his statement - why would he? They have not said anything about it and clearly don’t want to.

What aren’t you getting about the word “involuntary”?serioauly - why is this hard for you?

Open Apologies imply intent and that efforts will be made to not do it again.

John Davidson had zero intent, and can’t promise not to do it again.

Is it better he gives an empty false apology to satisfy the baying ableist mob?

What’s hard for you to understand the difference between the following:

”I’m sorry for having Tourette’s and for the ticking which resulted in me saying the N word”

vs.

”My heart goes out to MBJ and DL on what should’ve been a special night for them too. I’m mortified that they experienced this and fully acknowledge and understand the history and connotations of that repulsive word and regret the hurt and embarrassment MBJ and DL undoubtedly felt in that moment”

DL has publicly said that he’s disappointed in BAFTA for not addressing it with him and that he and MBJ just got on with it and did what they had to do. Like so many other POC who have to ‘rise above it’, push through or ‘just get over it’. MBJ and DL are allowed to be upset as are other black people, you don’t get to police that.

Understanding Tourettes isn't racist, isn't racist. It's understanding Tourettes.

The problem with this situation lies with the organisers and the BBC and their decision making and handling of the situation. Not the actions nor behaviour of the man in question who has Tourettes who can not stop his tics.

A man who swears because of his Tourettes can not be legally held responsible for saying racist things because he isn't being racist. It wouldn't stand up to scrutiny in a court of law.

There are people on this thread determined to insist this isn't a medical issue and should be punished. That's not ok.

Spending time in the company of someone with severe Tourettes and seeing their distress and anxiety over it is really horrible.

Becase he doesn’t owe a single person an apology

ANY apology he makes is an apology for his disability. And no disabled person should apologise for that.

Why would he mention DL and MBJ?? Ot wasn’t directed at them, or anyone, because it wasn’t intentional and more importantly - they don’t seem to have a problem. Or if they do there keeping it private.

If he insulted a woman on stage - which he has loads - I’d say the same. People offended by the tics of Tourette’s sufferers have to accept that it’s not an attack, or a slur and it’s not purposeful and their offence doesn’t matter more than a disabled persons right to not apologise for being disabled.

MBJ and DL and other black people are allowed to be upset - but they aren’t allowed to hold John Davidson to account for it

And actually @Socrateswasrightaboutvoting youve moaned about me saying people are playing the oppression Olympics - whilst posting about me playing the victim as a Jewish woman. In other words, you’re implying I have no right to state I experience racism as a Jewish woman…whilst calling me racist.

Do you want to explain your emoji as it’s pissed me off? Or are you just an antisemite, which is what I suspect. Not real racism, amirite?

You sound totally ridiculous; you’re asking why he would mention the two people who were humiliated in front of millions due to his condition?? You’re also making things up as now the N word wasn’t triggered by him seeing two black people onstage? I suppose that was the case when he said it directly to other black people in attendance? When he said ‘fuck the queen’ to the Queen’s face, that wasn’t triggered by being in front of the queen at that moment?

I also just literally said DL has publicly stated his thoughts on what happened and you say ‘they don’t seem to have a problem’ with it? If you actually think that, you either have no regard for the lived experiences of black people or a single digit IQ.

as it’s pissed me off?

You are the one who tried to weaponise Judaism but failed.

Here's a🐊to accompany your tears. It will keep you company whilst you play the worlds smallest violin.

The problem with this situation lies with the organisers and the BBC and their decision making and handling of the situation Agree

There are people on this thread determined to insist this isn't a medical issue and should be punished. That's not ok.

and there are many people on this thread who talk about compassion and empathy but show none for Black people.

Absolutely this

This is what I commented on previously , the dehumanisation of black people.
The idea that the two black presenters should simply suck it up because of JD’s disability .
Ignoring their own hurt
Also, one must remember that it wasn’t just one slur . The N word was used against other black people at the event
As another poster said, JD shouldn’t have to apologise for his disability , but he should apologise for the hurt it caused to others .
There are people who are extremely hurt by his actions and are all over social media extremely angered by the fact that they cannot express their hurt openly
Many have said that JD should have not attended an event when he knew that racist slurs were one of his tics

It seems there is to be absolutely no accomodation for someone with
Tourettes which is an absolute disgrace. Despite being warned in advance that he might blurt out offensive statements for people then to be calling him a racist is really not on.

This. With bells on. I'm horrified at the attitude of some and the attitude that people should be separated from society as a result of their disability. I honestly don't know how my friend copes day to day. She is regularly suicidal and I frankly don't blame her. We've had to make emergency calls about it in the past.

I don't think people calling for apologies and screaming about being offended have the first fucking clue tbh.

I think that the BBC kept the racial slur in to publicise the film . However, they did not expect the public outcry . They probably expected black people to suck it up as usual
However, it backfired as people of all races were all over social media questioning the decision to keep the racial slur
I do hope that that people will use this opportunity to research Tourettes. I for one will do so
However, I also hope that some posters will use this opportunity to find out about the origins of the N word and why so many people are hurt and offended by its use

Gosh, even after reading all the other posts regarding tourettes this is your conclusion ? That he chooses to say offensive words

There is no comfortable resolution to this. The rights of different groups of marginalised people are bumping up against each other and the arguments become about whose right gets to trump whose.

The actors should not have been put in that situation. I do not think a general warning statement about offensive language cuts it, because there is such a big difference between ‘ fucking boring’ and what happened here. Having happened it should not have been broadcast.

Equally JD should not be locked in a room and had every right to be there and a right to be understood and not judged for something he has no control over.

I don’t know what the answer is, I’m not sure there is a satisfactory one, but I hope all involved are OK.

But that’s saying that it’s better for one person to hide away and not fully participate in society in case another persons feelings get hurt.

Reminder, he’s not bringing a gun out with him; sometimes he might just hurt someone’s feelings.

Yes he absolutely would shout offensive things in Iran even if he might be killed for it and if you watch anything about him and his condition that is blatantly obvious. That’s why he hardly ever left his small town because people know him there. He has been badly beaten up in the past.

Another person showing very little understanding of Tourettes. The audience and participants of the BAFTAS were forewarned. Can you imagine what it must be like in Johns shoes knowing that every day you will say something so offensive you offend or upset others or worse put yourself at risk of physical retaliation , or even just how it must feel to constantly experience 'looks' of fear or disgust as people will not initially assume or know it is Tourettes. Should he really have to do a long winded grovelling apology every time to account for another persons hurt feelings. How would he know how hurt that person is? By using this as an opportunity to raise awareness about Tourettes doesn't mean it has to negate that black and brown people can still express how hearing the n word impacts on them, and also why a discussion around the use of this word in culture in general.

As another poster said, JD shouldn’t have to apologise for his disability , but he should apologise for the hurt it caused to others .

He has spent his entire life apologising - why can’t people leave him alone? He has enough to deal with in life.

There are people who are extremely hurt by his actions and are all over social media extremely angered by the fact that they cannot express their hurt openly

Oh, I’ve seen the disgusting comments about this man that are all over social media.

To go after a disabled man like this is reprehensible.

No one said this at all. You made that up.

What Black people are saying is that the word should have been edited out.

As I say DL and MBJ have chosen for whatever reason to say nothing or keep their offence private. You have no idea if they’re were humiliated. And if they were, JD owes them no apology

You’re also making things up as now the N word wasn’t triggered by him seeing two black people onstage?

When did I say this? It seems you are making things up.

Do you not understand Tourette’s and coprolalia?? If not then do you think he meant what he said?

I also just literally said DL has publicly stated his thoughts on what happened and you say ‘they don’t seem to have a problem’ with it? If you actually think that, you either have no regard for the lived experiences of black people or a single digit IQ

I hadn’t realised DL had made a statement saying he had a problem with John. I can’t find it anywhere online van you link to it please?

No, I mention I was Jewish and your only response was to imply I was paying victim. And have now accused me of having crocodile tears when I ask what you mean.Do you think you’re the only person who experiences racism? Are you not troubled by the fact you’ve made quite antisemitic/racist comments?

Nobody. Should. Apologise. For. Being. Disabled.

Dont take my word for it - how about listening to black Tourette’s sufferers. You haven’t have you?

This whole thread is ridiculous and toxic.