BAFTAs - discussion for black/brown mumsnetters

[BigOldBlobsy]

This is obviously a very sensitive subject, as it involves the impact of racist language and disability.
So, I’m making this thread for MNers who are black or brown, brown because brown people have been referred to as the N word as well historically and may want to weigh in.

for any who don’t know, the summary is, a well known disability advocate who struggles with Tourette’s, and is part of the film ‘I swear’, was at the BAFTAS, and involuntary ticced the N word at two black male actors.

there is already a nearly full thread, with lots saying that people shouldn’t be offended as this is involuntary.

I completely agree that tics are involuntary and that Tourette’s is such a difficult condition to struggle with. However, I disagree that you can’t be offended and that it can’t be experienced as racist still, even if unintentional!

Which film?

@JHoundI believe @StrongLikeMammameans ‘I swear’ ?

Oh - nope I have not. Was not particularly something that popped up as interesting to mez

I have not seen I swear, no.

It’s actually really good.

That is good to hear.

The white women of Mumsnet who are on those other threads are just disgusting. The glee that comes through at them putting Black people in their place transcends wanting to educate people about Tourettes. HQ should pull all those threads but heaven forbid they do anything about the racism on here. That might involve having actual moral principles.

I also don’t get the insistence that no apology is owned / people cannot be put out by harms that are unintentional.

People apologise for unintentional things every single day.

It’s not the man who has a disability that is the issue imo. It’s the fact the BBC didn’t even think it was enough of an issue to remove the slur and are now causing two black men, who handled the situation with grace, unnecessary humiliation. They just didn’t care to protect and safeguard. If it wasn’t broadcast it wouldn’t be a big news item today. Im not surprised, Im a 40+ black woman and am tired of trying to explain tbh.

Yes, exactly @Knackeredmommy but people on the other threads have pointed this out re the BBC and were told that they wanted to edit disabled people out of life or some such nonsense. So much racism left to stand, it's appalling what MN has become.

I agree, that the main issue as it stands for myself, is why the BBC did not bleep out the offensive word. They would have known that it would cause offence, and consternation, not only for the Men presenting the award, but also some viewers. Their actions, or lack of, is what needs to be questioned. The statement that they released is frankly inadequate, imo. It really is disgusting how they have handled this.

I'm not black. I just wanted to say i am surprised and appalled at the number of posters on the other threads who can't see how upsetting the use of the word was at that time and place. Unintentional hurt is still hurt. The hurt would not have been unknown. If i hurt someone, even without meaning to, i apologise. An apology costs nothing.

It should have been edited out.

I had to comment on a friend's post tonight she is close to the film and was outraged about the back lash. I had to point out whilst she can be outraged so can I and explained why. To give her her due she did come back and say she has been reading more since her original post and both communities were badly let down by the BBC. But I'm tired of reading this outrage and the oh Jamie F said the N word so many times on Django Unchained. Really disappointed in the BBC and people in general today, at 46 you would think I would know better. Suck it up black people, again...

I have seen ‘I swear’ and it’s genuinely a fantastic film real eye opener actually. I actually feel so sad for John. He had no control over what happened last night HOWEVER the N word is horrible and I will never take away from the fact it is an offensive word. The audience were pre warned John would be there. He was invited to celebrate a film based on his real life story. It was a night for celebration and representation. My daughter is mixed race and has been called the N word and it is absolutely gut wrenching however it was a completely different situation so I fully empathise with anyone who has experience racism. The BBC are at blame here the ceremony is an hour before it’s aired. They bleeped out people shouting ‘free Palestine’ but never bleeped the part where John shouted that out. Atleast if they did the whole world wouldn’t know this happened and he wouldn’t be made to feel worse than he already does. I genuinely feel so bad for him, celebrating such a fantastic night to then leaving early and wakening up to the whole world talking about you.

The BBC are at blame here the ceremony is an hour before it’s aired.

I read that it was two hours, either way, they were able to react to the person who mentioned 'free Palestine' in their acceptance speech. They obviously could felt that was problematic, but somehow the N word being shouted out, for whatever reason, was not. Hmmm.

I'm mixed race and I'm pretty pissed off with the BBC not editing it out to be honest. It ruined the ceremony which should have been a celebration and left viewers hurt and offended. I think the two guys managed the situation with grace and dignity but i can feel the sinking slam of that word in their guts. Quite frankly the guy who the film was about should have been managed differently as I'm sure he also feels gutted and deeply embarrassed today.

Same.

I doubt they would be saying the same thing if someone with the same condition shouted out ‘Karen’.

I’m raising sons with disabilities and I don’t want them thinking that they get a pass because of it or that they shouldn’t apologise when they embarass/hurt people, intent or not.

Intent doesn’t take away from impact and many of them know it.

Exactly this.

Now I cannot escape this story anywhere, they were embarrassed and humiliated, and they have given fodder to racists.

All because they BBC saw no issue in broadcasting a racial slur they had ample time to edit out (just as they did “Free Palestine” because apparently that’s more offensive.)

Yes - apparently we need to hear racial slurs to understand Tourette’s exists.

It’s because they don’t value black and brown people. They are anti-black at core they cannot see it. I really doubt they would maintain the same stance if John Davidson was black and it was Tina Fey and Amy Poehler presenting.

I’m very dubious about the BBC’s behaviour in this one.

So many of the articles I’ve read about this have a “can be streamed on iplayer” or similar at the end or midway though. Their viewing/streaming numbers will be through the roof.

Maybe I’m being overly cynical, but they’ll not cop the backlash anything like either ‘side’ (horrible way to describe it, but I’m kind blank for another word) will and will benefit no end from the extra views.

So stupid. So Fox says the N word in a film so black people cannot be offended by a racial slur? Like what?!

Every time you think they can't outdo themselves they do.

The hypocrisy and ignorance is staggering.

I think people are taking exception in particular to Jamie Foxx' input given that he basically accused John of intentionally doing it and being racist.

Foxx, 58, also criticized the moment on social media, commenting on an Instagram post featuring a clip of the incident, "Nah, he meant that s--t," adding, "Unacceptable."

I think it's a fine line. There's a medical condition/disability involved that is beyond the individual's control so he deserves understanding and empathy.

At the same time, for anyone in the position of the presenters being heckled in anyway would be disconcerting and of course it's understandable that the language used would have an impact on them.

I wonder if people are viewing the 'being offended' as opportioning blame. I think it was just a horrible thing for everyone involved and the BBC have definitely handled it appallingly.

Well I’m white (hope you don’t mind me posting), yet am capable of critical thinking and understanding that two things can be simultaneously true. I hear you OP.

It is true that it’s was involuntary. It is also true that it was offensive. Not that difficult a concept to me.