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!

Hard agree.

There are a huge number of anti-black racists on MN (some likely with black partners) so I just hid the thread.

They have no problem with collective punishment unless it applies to them.

I’m also white so will only post once- this has shown up in my active threads. I think this thread is totally rational too. I posted on the other thread that whilst I understand JD cannot help his tics, the people he shouted racial slurs at cannot be expected to just ‘choose not be offended’ and of course will have been impacted by it. I was told that I therefore expect all disabled people to be locked up forever, which is of course, not what I had said. But it seemed that acknowledging the impact the word had on the black people at the event, meant I was an ableist person. It was like 2 things could not be true at the same time. People were even trying to say the n word is not that bad which was astounding.

I am being accused of creating a hierarchy of offence because I said saying fuck off to the rich and beloved Queen is not the same as saying the N word to a black man.

What on earth is “woke” about the BBC decision.

I know that I keep saying this, but attention should be focused squarely on the BBC. They saw fit to cut a portion of the acceptance speech by Akinola Davies Junior, who mentioned the words 'free Palestine' in it. They were concerned enough about not offending some people, but failed spectacularly when it came to editing out such an offensive term for black people. The minimising of the hurt that it has caused, on Mumsnet is just expected, and is exactly what is happening. This is the only thread on this subject, that I have not had to hide.

The wokeness lies in believing that because the person who said the words was disabled and it was involuntary, that the audience for that language had no right to be offended.

There is often this "heirarchy of minority" in woke thinking. I've seen it a lot on forms over the years. The person who is all in favour of the cultural rights of Muslim women to have access to female only swimming sessions, until the trans movement comes along as a smaller minority with louder voices and suddenly that earlier group's rights go out of the window.

In this case, the wokeness was to judge that the rights of the tiny minority disabled person to be heard, and that freedom celebrated, was greater than the rights of others to be allowed to say they felt abused by those comments and greater than the rights of viewers not to hear it when broadcast after a 2 hour time delay.

I'd go so far as to say that I'll bet the editorial team were patting themselves on the back for their incredible understanding of Tourettes and their marvellous liberalism.

Well said. I have got rather too involved in this because I organise events as part of my job and often speak at them. I will, at some point, have to handle competing interests.

I think you can still be injured by someone's actions but you feel differently about it if it was accidental rather than intentional.

Possibly, but the pain is still there regardless..

For these men, it is forever on the internet and coming from America doubt it was something they thought they would have to encounter whilst doing their jobs.

Tbh, I’m not surprised by the bbc considering the way they talked about Meghan’s mum ancestry when they became engaged.

My dad asked me about the UK and I told him upfront that it’s casually racist because they think racism is just using the N word and can’t differentiate between someone doing racist actions and being racist and refuse to see that regardless of intention it comes second to impact. You can’t erase the impact.

I see what you are saying @Imdunfer .

Yep - this has been the only rational thread I have seen on the topic which is unsurprising.

I am really not sure there is any kind of “wokery” that defines racial slurs as ok. I am also not sure that it makes sense. As there would be no conflict of rights in choosing not to broadcast a slur. I really doubt JD would feel his comments being edited out would impact his rights.

But then I am not sure I can take seriously
anybody using the term “wokery”.

I have a huge soft spot for Delroy Lindo. He just has something about him that i like. I have done for years.

MBJ has such a lovely personality, so different from the intense characters he plays.

So, i just felt so bad for him and MBJ. They must have felt humiliated, and ruined what should have been a great night for them both.

So often I hear from white people that they avoid PoC because we are all 'angry'. Too right. Hard not to be angry when told that black people should be all cool with the N word.

But they are "powerful and privileged able-bodied men" so they apparently should be able to take it...

If white people who feel this way would avoid me I would be ecstatic!

It’s really not the “punishment” they think it is.

I am glad that the OP started this thread. I am able to express here, how I felt about what happened. Experience has shown me, when not to bother trying to get my point across, when I can see exactly how things are panning out on a thread, hence my hiding several threads about this, already. I have my mental health to protect, and as a black Woman, it is under constant strain, in this Society.

I am white so feel free to boot me out of this thread but I was horrified at the posts on the aibu thread and I want to offer my thoughts as someone living with a neurological condition. I have Epilepsy, and one of the posts on there said that epileptics should not have to apologize for their actions during a seizure, which I totally disagree with. Years ago, when I was first diagnosed I got told I could be done for death by dangerous driving if I have a seizure while driving on a suspension licence (not UK). First of all I would issue deep apologies, and then accept all consequences.

This might be an unpopular view but to some extent we should have to take responsibility for our disabilities. Yes it's unfair on us and we are at a disadvantage, yet we have to be aware of our surroundings.

Standing in solidarity.

Edit to add that I would never drive with a suspended licence.

This is like when sexist men announce they don’t date and stay away from feminists.

Thanks! 😃

The “Hide Thread” function is great. I hide all race related and many of the immigration threads too (also a number of the trans ones).

Don’t threaten me with a good time! 😉

I totally see that. Colourism and racial prejudice is rife even in my Asian community. This isn't seeing black people as perennial victims or always right. It's acknowledging that very often, they are at the bottom of a metaphorical pile.

Anyway, I haven't seen "I Swear" but " Sinners" was marvellous, especially the soundtrack. I need to rewatch, after reading a bit more about the blues.

@JHound Bingo!