Episode 180: BAFTA Baffles

It may not be your fault, but it's still your responsibility.

Transcript

Laura 0:00

It may not be your fault, but it's still your responsibility.

Male VO 0:05

This is Bad Attitudes.

Laura 0:22

Hello, friends and strangers. Welcome to another episode of Bad Attitudes, an uninspiring podcast about disability. I'm your host, Laura.

Laura 0:33

This week's supporter shout out goes to KillerPansy. Thank you for your continuing support.

Laura 0:40

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Laura 0:53

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Laura 1:10

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Laura 1:31

As always, I want to remind you that disability is not a monolith. My experience as a disabled person is going to be different from the experiences of other disabled people. I am one voice for the disabled community, but I am not the only voice.

Laura 1:48

On Sunday, February 22nd, the BBC aired the London-based Baptists, the British equivalent of the Oscars, and there's a good chance you've already heard about the controversy surrounding them. One of the attendees was John Davidson, a man with Tourette's syndrome, upon whose life the nominated film I Swear was based. Davidson experiences coprolalia, which includes involuntary swearing or involuntary uttering obscene words or socially inappropriate or taboo remarks. During his time at the ceremony, Davidson was heard to express things like, Fuck you, while people are on stage. Keep in mind this behavior is involuntary and not something he can control.

Laura 2:36

The issue came when actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo stepped up to present. For the unaware, Jordan and Lindo are well-known black actors. While they were at the mic, before they began, Davidson shouted a racial slur. I did not watch the BAFTAs, but I'm sure the tension was palpable. According to reports, Jordan and Lindo were impeccably professional and carried on after a moment of silence. Host Alan Cumming made a statement after the incident to the audience in which he said, You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette's syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience. Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.

Laura 3:27

Prior to the show, a floor producer informed the audience about Davidson's situation, and that they, quote, might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the show. Like I said, I did not watch the BAFTAs, so I don't know if there was any warning given to the viewing audience, but here's what I do know.

Laura 3:48

One, the ceremony did not air live. It was prerecorded and aired on a delay.

Laura 3:54

Two, the BBC did not edit out the slur, but did manage to edit out another person's pro-Palestine statement during their speech. That seems like a choice.

Laura 4:07

Three. Cumming's statement was not aired as part of the ceremony, but he did make another statement later in the night that was aired saying, Tourette's syndrome is a disability, and the ticks you've heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette's syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight. While I don't believe Cumming wrote the apology, it seems half-assed at best.

Laura 4:38

The BBC issued an apology for not editing out the slur before the broadcast and promised to remove it from streaming versions, but like, how do you miss it? How do you miss the incredibly triggering racial slur being shouted across an auditorium, but not free Palestine in an acceptance speech? A sentiment a fair majority of the attendees and viewing audience likely agree with. It definitely seems like a choice.

Laura 5:08

The BBC also did not issue a statement or apology to Jordan or Lindo until after public pressure to do so, which I find quite telling. Lindo revealed that no one from the ceremony checked in with him, and I'm assuming Jordan after the incident either. I know you're busy backstage and wrangling a big production, but how do you not do a temperature check on two people who were mortified and humiliated? How do you not just check in and ask, hey, are you okay? And the apology issued by Cumming is basically shit. We apologize if you are offended. Why not just say, I'm sorry you feel that way? I know the BAFTAs had no control over the situation, but come on. I think the BAFTAs and the BBC failed this situation in many ways.

Laura 6:00

Davidson issued a statement the following Monday saying, in part, I am and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning. He also said he was grateful to the BAFTAs for their initial announcement about his tics and that he felt welcome and accepted in the room. He also mentioned that he left the ceremony space for another room because he realized his tics were causing distress. Some people were upset that Davidson's statement did not include a direct apology, either for the particular word or to Jordan and Lindo directly. Some people also seem to think it's ableist to expect him to apologize for something that isn't his fault.

Laura 6:48

And I agree, it isn't his fault. That doesn't mean it's not his responsibility.

Laura 6:54

Even though Davidson did not intend to hurt anyone, the impact of what happened cannot be denied. If the most offensive of his tics were shut the fuck up or fuck you, I don't think an apology would be necessary. But the word he shouted carries an immense negative historical context. It has been weaponized against the black community for centuries. I don't think the impact can or should be minimized. Honestly, I think it's kind of ableist to suggest Davidson shouldn't apologize to the black attendees and black viewership of the BATAs. It's like saying he doesn't have the ability to recognize that his tics can affect other people. He clearly does recognize this fact and does realize it's his responsibility to mitigate those impacts. Otherwise, he wouldn't have removed himself from the BAFTAs ceremony.

Laura 7:50

He doesn't need to grovel, and I have seen reports that he was trying to reach out to Jordan and Lindo privately to apologize. That's great, and I hope he was able to do that. But Jordan and Lindo aren't the only people who were affected. The in-person audience weren't even the only people affected. It also affected anyone who happened to see the unedited broadcast, and really anyone who heard about the incident. This has wide-reaching impact.

Laura 8:21

Unfortunately, this is a no-win situation. No one comes out of this unscathed. Obviously, the actors who were on stage at the time and the black community is largely affected, but I also feel sorry for Davidson. How isolating it must be to have a condition that has the potential to be so polarizing. I have to assume that his tics don't reflect his actual beliefs, but he still removed himself for other people's comfort. He was in that room to celebrate and be celebrated for his cinematic contributions. His film won. I don't know if he was able to participate in the acceptance of the award or if he chose to remain separate. Regardless, he had to isolate himself during a time when he should have been celebrating with those in his circle.

Laura 9:13

And it certainly doesn't help when people like Jamie Foxx go on social media and make statements like he meant that shit. While I've never personally known anyone with Tourette's syndrome, I have witnessed people with it, and those with oral tics do tend to sound like they mean whatever they're saying. Understanding has to come from both sides. I don't know if Foxx was in the audience or if he was reacting to the broadcast, but that statement is incredibly inflammatory, especially if he was warned that something like this might happen.

Laura 9:47

Again, I don't know what exactly the warning was that the audience received. I don't know how much detail was given, and I don't know if there was any warning included in the broadcast. If all they said was that someone might make some involuntary utterances, that definitely doesn't seem informative enough. You don't have to go into too much detail, but you might consider mentioning that some of the tics might be considered offensive. I don't know what might be a step too far, but I think it's fair in this situation to forewarn people. And again, Davidson did say he appreciated the BAFTAs warning the audience.

Laura 10:29

Long story short, there is no truly good outcome here. People are going to remain offended, and Davidson is likely going to be dealing with ramifications for some time. All we can hope for is some level of understanding and discussion to come from this about what it means to exist as a disabled person in a non-disabled world.

Laura 10:52

I think it bears repeating that just because something isn't your fault doesn't mean it's not your responsibility. If something you did, whether it was unintentional, whether it was an accident, caused harm, it's up to you to acknowledge that harm and do what you can to mitigate it.

Laura 11:11

Thanks for listening, and I'll talk to you in the next one.