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!

I love the movie Sinners. My local cinema is showing it again, next Month, for one night only, and I have already booked my ticket.

Wasn't it just? I'd love it to win best picture at the Oscars but I think One Battle After Another has that sewn up. I will be happy if Ryan Coogler wins the screenplay Oscar though!

Same. I am hoping that Sinners sweeps up at the Oscars, it will be interesting to see how it does. I have not seen OBAA, though, but I do rate LDC as an actor.

The saddest part for me is that on social media its very much 2 marginalised groups being set against each other; not many are asking for accountbility from the 2 rich, powerful corporations that let this happen. BAFTA failed in their duty of care to everyone in that room (including John) but also importantly everyone else, and the BBC decides to air it, despite being on a 2 hour delay and editing out other things.

@Overtheatlantic One of the issues for myself, is from the little that I saw, before I hid the threads, was an attitude of, well he can't help it, what right do black people have to be offended by it, etc. I have not offered any opinion on JD himself, in my mind, what is the main issue, is the actions of the BBC. A half arsed apology, is just an insult, and again shows the lack of concern, in general, for black people.

I apologise in advance if anyone is offended by what I'm going to say, but I need to ask as I'm genuinely confused about how tics come to be and I am asking in good faith.

My question is, why is something that is involuntary, happen at coincidental times? I mean, I understand that tics come out involuntarily, what I don't get is why the involuntary words are not random nice words or random meaningless words.

For instance, shouting out "Book", "House" or "Happy" in the middle of a ceremony to me is what would make more sense rather than using the "N" word at a black person.

I would also understand it more if it had been directed at a white person, as that helps me understand the randomness of the tic.

However, when the tic is offensive and aimed at someone who belongs to a group at which said offensive word is usually aimed, I can't help but feel it to be a case of the mouth speaking from the fulness of the heart.

Yes, the act of uttering the word may be involuntary, but the word and intention behind it, can not be springing from a vacuum.

Hence my confusion as to why the burden of making people comfortable is put on the victim of the slurs rather than the person who made the slur, irrespective of "unintentionality" which, if nit intentional, can't also be coming from a place of love, either.

@Betterbelieveit Maybe go and watch the film, or read the other countless threads on this subject, where you may hopefully find the answers to your questions.

These verbal tics where offensive language is said are called coprolalia. Tourette's syndrome website defines it as "the involuntary outburst of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks". It's not just involuntary random words, it's involuntary words which are totally inappropriate for the situation, and are offensive and/or obscene. The person's brain comes up with the most awful, inappropriate thing which could be said in the specific situation they are in and says it. It has nothing to do with what the person actually thinks, or with their opinions or emotions about the situation.

I read somewhere that he left soon after the incident. Regardless of what, and why it happened, the BBC have shown themselves to be racially insensitive to black people. I have real concerns about the people behind these editing decisions, here. It should not be allowed to be swept under the carpet. Someone chose to edit the 'free Palestine' comment. They had reasons for doing so, why was this not extended to the horrid, offensive racial slur?

I wonder why my comment got deleted by MN. I’m sorry if it was offensive.

Interesting how MN has deleted posts here, but not on the main board where posters are arguing the N word is NOT that offensive and that Delroy Lindo uses it daily.

Mumsnet should have explained why. All they do is say something about guidelines, etc. They should explain how a post overstepped those guidelines. That would be helpful, I think.

For ages, on BM, we have been wondering about who the mods are. I really think that Mumsnet is not a diverse set up. It is evident by how they moderate certain threads.

Same. . I already know where it’s going, so predictable and they always resort to insults because they can’t debate or defend their reasoning; ridiculous amount of whataboutery, and wanting to ignore what the OP actually asked (depending on if they actually read the OP’s posts).

There seems to be an incapability of thinking that two things can exist at the same time, consideration of context and nuance.

Honestly, I wish there was a hide function for comments and/or specific posters because often it is the same ones.

I responded to it and there was nothing offensive in it. I don't even see what guidelines were breached (unless you called somebody a "troll" but typically that has to be specific and I don't recall you doing that.)

It's such a relief being here. Unfortunately, the Asian MN forum is mostly dead, except for complaints about mothers-in-law.
I also feel sometimes that I shouldnt have to hive myself off. But I can see why so many of you hide threads, to avoid being called victims or whiners. Literally nobody has blamed JD here. It's so balanced and far from being a victim.

Personally I feel that the BBC is responsible for what they decide to broadcast. They chose to leave in the racial slur. They are accountable for that. They need to explain why that was. Yes, in case it is not noticeable, I have an issue with the BBC here. I too am glad for this thread, which has not descended into the usual nastiness, which is common when talking about issues that affect black people.

I suspect that the way it went in discussion among the editorial team that he has a right for his disability to be seen and heard and that to edit it out is somehow to erase part of his very essence.

We are all, think that editing team, supposed to show what broad minded and inclusive people we are by not objecting, especially if we are black (I'm not).

This is the direction that other threads on this subject were heading in.

( Ref your closing sentence, if you wouldn't listen to a rational argument based on decades of observation because of one widely used term then that's entirely up to you.)

The Oscars better take note and make arrangements.

They edited out all of his other tics, so it was either a conscious decision to leave this in at worst, or sloppy attention to detail at best.

Why was my post deleted for agreeing with a poster and pointing out something I notice when it comes to disabilities on MN? What repeat?

Bafta Judge and film maker Jonte Richardson resigns.Film-maker quits as Bafta judge over handling of racist slur at awards ceremony | The Standard