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 really doubt this.

It's only a 'widely used' term by idiots though.

I was thinking exactly this! I likely think they just won't bother inviting JD.

Did they do that? That makes it even worse if so.

If they don't, there will be a huge outcry. Maybe he will decide it's too far or stressful to go. I think it's televised live no? Maybe they will edit it.

There are levels to this, more than one person at the BBC/BAFTA’s sat down and intentionally chose to leave the offensive slur against 2 black men in the broadcast.

The same team also sat down and decided to edit the speech of another Black man (Akinola Davies Jr.) for having the temerity to say:

“To the economic migrant. The conflict migrant. Those under occupation, dictatorship, persecution, and those experiencing genocide. You matter. Your stories matter more than ever. Your dreams are an act of resistance.
'To those watching at home, archive your loved ones. Archive your stories yesterday, today, and forever. For Nigeria, for London, the Congo, Sudan, free Palestine, thank you.”

And days before the broadcast the BBC already said they’ll be monitoring “political speech” at the BAFTA’s due to what another Black man (Bob Vylan) said last year.

Now instead of focusing on their Oscars run Delroy and Michael will be asked about this incident. It was and is humiliating.

I don’t blame Davidson, it’s not his fault and he is facing terrible backlash too and I’m not going to play into two sides battling it out. There are Black Tourette’s sufferers having to explain what Tourette’s is (02:30 in the video).

I blame the BBC, with their pithy “I’m sorry if you were offended” bullcrap and their absolute failure in their duty of care. They deliberately allowed Black people to be hurt in order to generate a trend or have a “teaching moment”.

As the woman says at 09:24 in the video “What if the Tic had been Free Palestine?”

p.s. The video discusses the Slur and contains swearing and a number of views from different influencers, the general gist is we're tired.

Also Alan Cumming said something about the state of the US, and that was edited out so Trump wouldn't be offended!

The BBC truly is pathetic.

I Swear hasn't been nominated for any Oscars so I doubt he'll be there.

According to many people in attendance, yes they did. Not just his tics, but things that don't align with the BBCs agenda- yet this was left in.

My post was deleted for saying I don’t think he should have been in attendance. What guidelines did that breach?

Wow.

I’m brown rather than black so I cannot imagine how offensive and upsetting the n word must be. The BBC should have edited it out.

I take no pleasure in saying this but I don’t think JD should have been invited. I don’t doubt for a second he shouted that term due to his disability rather than racist intent but it was foreseeable something like this might happen. It must be horrendous dealing with his disability and he has done a great job of raising awareness in his film but you cannot have black people being exposed to racist terminology in that way.

I’m also a discrimination lawyer and I don’t think it would be unlawful not to invite him for this reason. You can treat someone unfavourably because of something arising from their disability, such as shouting offensive terms, if it is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. That’s obviously a value judgment but to me, ensuring black people on stage in full view of millions watching aren’t heckled with racially offensive terminology more than meets that test.

This thread isn’t about his feelings, but as it happens I also think JD has been let down because he must feel like absolute shite as well due to something which arose from his disability. Would have been better all round had he not been there. Inclusion is fantastic but not at all costs.

So, exclude the disabled man?

Yes.

Wow!

He has been failed here, as well. The BBC have not protected him, have they? They have failed both parties, shame on them!

My partner is black and my kids are mixed race. One of my DC has Tourettes. I haven't watched the film because the type of Tourettes where you swear inappropriately is extremely rare and I wasn't sure if it might move attention from the type Lewis Capaldi has and focus on what is a minority manifestation. What I have learnt is that Tourettes is a very complex neurological condition and can be extremely difficult to control. There are ways but success is limited and requires an awful lot of effort. As I said our experience is of the type similar to Lewis C. We were lucky and saw the consultant considered to be the UK lead authority on Tourettes and we learnt a lot from them.

Not sure if any of that is useful to people but thought I would share in case it was. I agree with people who focus on the BBC. They really should have edited it out. I also think being offended by something offensive is a very reasonable response.

Ive followed John for a long time, watched the documentaries about him, seen him telling his beloved dog to run into traffic and slapping at spitting at the driver of a car he was travelling in. The condition he has is so disabling. Watching a small boy trying to cope with it in one of the documentaries was heartbreaking......but as a black woman im finding this whole thing very difficult to deal with. The two brilliant actors on stage at one of their proudest moments being heckled in the worse was possible, the woman being called the N word on her way to dinner. Its been brewing in my brain since it happened. His insults were specific, there was no homosexual slur to Alan Cummins shouted out in front of the world, although I believe 'shut the f* up' was directed at the Asian winners of the short film (I may be wrong) Maybe and again i say maybe, John may have an issue, and let's face it a lot of people do although they keep it hidden. If so knowing his condition it was likely that under stress something like that would happen I notice he has apologised generally but I feel he needs to specifically apologise to the people he insulted, All be it unintentionally. Its still a major offensive slur. The whole thing has tainted the awards for the performers and for him.

What MN guidelines are breached in saying that you don’t think JD should have attended?

It’s not ableist and considering some of the comments that have floated in this topic it’s curious that any opinions voiced on his attendance are deleted?

As a pp mentioned, the two actors, who have done sterling work, will now be questioned at every interview going forward now, without a thought for their feelings. It should not become the main point of attention, and I really hope that DL, and MBJ can continue to act with the grace, and professionalism that they so obviously have, in the face of any such questions.

“To achieve a proportionate aim”. It’s really not unusual for people to be excluded from
things on the basis of a protected characteristic (things restricted by sex for example.)

I am a white, neurodivergent woman, and I absolutely agree with this.

I'm heartbroken for Delroy Lindo, it was clear from his face how hard he was hit by hearing the word shouted at him. He paused and glanced, clearly expecting someone from BAFTA to say something / step in. But nothing came, so he was left to carry on, as if nothing had happened. He has no.said that no one from BAFTA spoke to him afterwards, which is entirely unforgivable. (I'm assuming they also didn't speak to Michael B Jordan either).

I know a lot of the criticism is being aimed at the BBC (rightly) but we need to hold BAFTA ultimately accountable for the hurt caused.

There should have been a risk assessment in place that planned for what might happen if John Davidson said something that caused pain and harm. Had they even considered this could happen? Why was no one available to speak to and care for Jordan and Lindo? (And anyone else). Also I presume Davidson had no support from BAFTA either.

It's almost as if BAFTA wanted to show how inclusive they are, but did absolutely zero work to make this safe for everyone. Just threw everyone to the wolves and now they are all reliving this and having to deal with the fallout and coverage.

If I was either Lindo or Jordan I would not ever be coming back to BAFTA, which then means they are unable to enjoy one of the major calendar events of their industry. If I was a Black creative I would be seriously considering if I could attend BAFTA in the future, as it is cost that their has been no consideration of their experiences by BAFTA.

I'm sorry to those people here who it is affecting. This should have been a celebration of two brilliant films, but BAFTA's decisions and actions (inactions) have overshadowed that.