John Davidson shouting the N word during the BAFTAS

[Crawse]

John Davidson has Tourettes and is a campaigner for the condition. Whist Michale B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting he shouted out the racial slur. It’s extremely uncomfortable to watch. I feel terrible for the two presenters. I’m really conflicted on this one.

What are your thoughts?

No one should be subjected to abuse. That is my bottom line. Maybe the fact I was called P*** (I’m half Indian) growing up has influenced my views. I obviously recognise Tourette’s is involuntary.

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/22/entertainment/baftas-2026-tourettes-racist-slur

Surely embracing all "disabilities", in all forms is far more healthy than pretending they don't exist, and by extension that the people who have them don't exist. What a kick in the teeth for disabled people everywhere.

Surely we are all adult enough to deal with this event in an appropriate way not the hysteria that has been seen so far.

He doesn’t know what he’s going to say! That’s a tic. Manage how? Stay indoors, don’t attend an awards ceremony featuring a film about your life?

It’s a disgrace the amount of people absolutely clueless about Tourette’s wading onto here with such ignorant comments.

Along with the inability to understand that defending John’s condition - that he can’t control - doesn’t automatically mean black people should be fine when those tics are deeply unpleasant/offensive.

Not really.

So, on the scale of victimhood

Black people (a significant part of the population) should “educate themselves” to accommodate the disability of a tiny minority?

I understand he is not in control of his tics, yet it’s on him and on the organisers not to have planned for this situation, being away from mics, abstaining oneself to attend the speeches, etc.

Not everyone can do everything.

I will repeat

it was not abuse

abuse is a deliberate action
this was not a deliberate action

it is pathetic going on about implied racism by expressing hate towards disabled people which is exactly what I am seeing - that he should be excluded , that he should grovel apologies - absolutely hate filled

no one’s saying it’s not hurtful , I am saying you should be able to recognise the disability

Not really when the poster says it’s his responsibility to manage. If he doesn’t know how and when the tic’s are going to manifest, how does he manage that then? Stay indoors away from the public?

Ok , guess we have to disagree then. I think they did the right thing. I don't think we need to embrace disability to this extent.

I am not adult enough, I guess. I wouldn't want any recording of me being called a Pa- it has happened-to be disseminated around the world, while I smile graciously and be healthy and embracing.

I am surprised in the circumstances that the bbc didn’t broadcast with a 30 second delay. Not everything needs to be live. It wouldn’t have helped those on stage or in the live audience but would have prevented it from being broadcast.

it was shown on a two hour delay

Autism doesn’t make people into sexual abusers ! I can not believe the absolute rubbish being spouted here

why don’t you report John to the police and see what they say ?

The reason the n-word gets special treatment these days is largely because of identity politics loading it with a special, potent aura. It's like a magic word, somehow worse than all the other dehumanising, racist, vile words that have ever been invented. That's exactly why JD's brain chose it at that moment but the taboo is purely a human invention. 'Queer' could have gone the same way but has instead become quite mainstream.

Yes, it's horrible for the targets on stage to hear, but as soon as you understand why it came out, surely all you feel is compassion for the person who said it.

It was not live and there was a two hour delay. They had time to edit out "Free Palestine" but not to edit out the slurs.

I hope all you kind progressives enjoy shitting all over a working-class, disabled man in your performative outrage.

You honestly can't see the difference in the two scenerios?

FFS.

With autism you can control your words and behaviour as an adult. He certainly managed to control himself enough to be professional on TV. So there is no excuse for his sexual harrassment/abuse.

With tourettes you absolutely cannot control your tics on any level. You just can't, it's totally involuntary.

Stupid comparison.

They may be ignorant or they may disagree.

Quite.

Maybe try learning about it?

And your inability to understand or accept that this neurological condition is a disability that the person can do nothing about, makes you look very bigoted indeed.

But if you've read the thread, you'll know that and not be bothered by how ableist you come across.

@CharlotteRumpling

"I don't think we need to embrace disability to this extent."

You're not serious?? Really?? 🙄

If you are genuine, and not a troll, I am the happiest I have ever been to disagree with someone.

I was waiting for someone to blame identity politics rather than slavery and the KKK for the N word being so offensive, and yes, here it is.

This was shocking. The guy should not have been in the audience if he was likely to abuse others.