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 had an idiot on one of the other threads who said it would have been “ableist” to edit out the slur.

It was necessary for it to be broadcast for people to have an understanding of the disability….

Give me strength.

I think BAFTA had a duty of care - they knew they had an attendee who has an uncontrollable illness that can adversely impact others and they just shrugged their shoulders and proceeded as normal.

Yes this. I am also white. So apologies.

I do have a child (9) with tourettes and also other disabilities.

What i don't understand is why Bafta did not do more? why did they not warn all beforehand that they were inviting someone with tourettes who can say offensive things including racial slurs? The presenters should have known in advance so that they could have made the choice to not go/present if they didnt want to understandably risk having that insult shouted out at them. Or could they have even met Davidson beforehand? Could tourettes awareness have been shared with all attending. But then there also needs to be education in just how offensive N is and why. I mean it goes without saying but the impact is so huge. However if you try and say to someone with tourettes X word is awful you are more likely to make it a tic. But there should have been an acknowledgement by Bafta and the BBC about just HOW offensive this is and an apology for that.

And thats another failing by Bafta where is the support for those upset? Where was the support for all the men involved beforehand? This was forseeable so could they have made sure Davidson was not sat near a microphone? Why did they not edit it out? In the moment addressing or saying something often makes the tics worse. But that does not excuse the lack of support from Bafta organisers afterwards and I cannot believe they weren't made aware beforehand that this might happen?

I dont know my own child doesnt know the N word actually, he hasnt been at school for 2 years as no school can meet his needs. But whikst he was there he learnt plenty of swearing! his language does cause problems, I apologise on his behalf and explain his disability.

The education staff working with him at home have specific training. I also work in complex needs and have been subject to allsorts of behaviours from disabled children who dont understand, being spat on, weed on, pinched etc but I am supported by colleagues and we can tap out if needed and get a de brief and none of that has the history and weight of racist language behind it. For some staff in my school that can be an issue and again they get support for that. Its ALWAYS recognised that though there is no intent it can still be upsetting and cause harm.

People absolutely are going to be upset and hurt. So its how we explain there is no intent BUT STILL acknowledge the depth of feeling and hurt that these words still cause. I think there is space to do both, I hope.

There are options between exclude completely and just accept others in attendance will should be subject to offensive words and deal with it; neither of those are fair, but it is a bit disturbing that people think excluding those with disabilities rather than expecting organisations to take responsibility for making adjustments and provisions to protect everyone is the best way.

Well, I am being told that leaving the slur in would be a useful way of creating awareness.

I don’t use Tik Tok but saw elsewhere that she posted on the topic then backtracked when she saw her video was being used by racists.

Yes I was told that too. We need to be subject to racial slurs to be made aware of various disabilities that exist.

Yes this is my position. The organisers absolutely should have done more. I had someone on another thread say people with tourettes shouldn't be in places where there are children because they might swear.. my disabled child already cant attend school, clubs, activities, has no peer group wtc. He IS already excluded from SO much. So excluding a disabled person when their world is often so much smaller anyway is not the answer.

But finding the right supports and balancing needs and potential harms is absolutely tricky.

I would there is space to acknowledge there was no intent to harm BUT also still hold that it was harmful and upsetting and that needs respecting and supporting as well. As I said in a professional environment we have ways to do this, so Bafta should also have done the same.

@JHound one of the tics she dies in this video is one my son has, the middle finger. I have not met anyone else with tourettes or seen it anywhere so it was helpful for me. I appreciated hearing her voice in this, its awful if she has been attacked and her videos misused.

I think PoC have diverse views, just like non PoC! . I don't think JD or any Tourettes sufferer should be excluded. I think more care should have been taken by BAFTA and the BBC.

I recognise some of the most racist posters on that thread from other threads where they have posted racist material. So they are totally racist against black people and I don’t believe their denials for a minute.

This situation is an interesting, unique one and in some ways has been really helpful (but depressing) in showing just how anti-black society still is.

Disgraceful

Article says JD shouted it several times, so it was actually worse for MBJ and DL than it first appeared.

Saw this just now, I didnt realise what had happened re the Google alerts
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/feb/24/sinners-studio-reportedly-raised-n-word-use-with-bafta-immediately-during-ceremony-and-requested-removal

It's entrenched

So BBC claiming “oh we were in a truck, didn’t hear it blah blah” is nonsense.

I think they went full Tarantino and chose to leave it in for that reason.

The irony is that posters say they don't do that then promptly whilst wailing about people being mean to them!

I'm pretty much 100% certain that the late Queen would have been very well briefed about John and possible tics before she met him. Beyond that, there is no equivalence between him saying " Fuck the Queen" and using an appalling word loads with centuries of hate that he may not have been responsible for, but the BBC certainly were in putting on air.

I’m deeply disappointed in the Black voices who have gone public and focused only on the Tourette’s aspect of the situation. It feels complicit with the racist view that if you're hurt or offended you have chosen to be and you are also being ableist. I don't need black voices to make this a teachable (a cynic might say for clicks) moment about ableism whilst they smile, speak in soft voices and gatekeep for racists.

It's possible to hold space for Tourette’s as a neurological condition while, at the same time, also acknowledging the real harm caused by a racial slur. The woman who asked, “What if the slur had been ‘Free Palestine’?” seemed more balanced, recognizing the nuances and complexity of the situation.

I have long accepted that there are black people Harriet would have to have left behind. And so do we, for the same reasons.

You are absolutely right. So disappointing because those are the ones we are all measured against.

More delusion on the main thread:
Editing out the N word is censorship and akin to putting disabled people in asylums.
John Davidson was 'segregated' when he left the Baftas voluntarily.
White people should be allowed to use the N word as rap stars do.

This is why we need Black History Month.

Isn't that other thread finished. I purposely used up about 8 of the posts to kill it.

Lots of threads..I think I will fill it up with GIFS or biscuits
It's been an eyeopener..Give people an inch by agreeing that it's not JDs fault and they now claim he was censored.

Please refrain from bringing in strays. We don't know where they have been.😂

There are so many comments used to defend the incident, that stand above the rest, in the worst way.

The one you have mentioned, where editing out the word censors JD, is one of the many that makes me believe that more people hate us than I originally thought.

Seriously, what am I doing on this site?