US EditionRacial slur at BAFTA awards stirs complex feelings for Black people with Tourette syndrome
The incident sparked outrage over the BBC's failure to censor the slur, highlighting the need for greater awareness and support for Black people with Tourette syndrome.
- On Sunday at the BAFTAs, John Davidson, Scottish activist and Tourette syndrome advocate, uttered a racial slur that interrupted presenters Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.
- Because coprolalia is a symptom of Tourette syndrome, tics can intensify under stress, making involuntary vocal outbursts not intentional, experts note.
- Broadcasters failed to edit the slur from the delayed broadcast, though the BAFTA production team warned of outbursts and Alan Cumming said the tics were involuntary while Davidson sat near a microphone amplifying them.
- The episode prompted immediate outrage that Black actors and attendees were subjected to the slur, compelling Black people with Tourette syndrome and advocacy groups focused on Tourette syndrome to speak out and expand support networks.
- Experts warn that misinformation about Tourette could worsen racial profiling for Black people, while the Tourette Association of America cites 10%-15% coprolalia prevalence and offers I Have TS cards.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Racial slur at BAFTA awards stirs complex feelings for Black people wi
For Black people living with Tourette syndrome, the British Academy Film and Television Arts Awards incident earlier this week where a vocal tic manifested as a racial slur while two Black stars of the movie “Sinners” were onstage has left them with complicated feelings. “It’s been pretty difficult because I feel like there’s such a clash between both sides,” said Chloe Winston, 24, who experiences coprolalia, the same verbal tic as John Davidso…
Associated Press News
Racial slur at BAFTA awards stirs complex feelings for Black people with Tourette syndrome
For Black people living with Tourette syndrome, a racial slur being shouted by someone with the disorder at the British Academy Film Awards has left them with complicated feelings.
What the 2026 BAFTA controversy teaches us about Tourette’s and media responsibility
The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards were meant to celebrate cinematic achievements, but a shocking incident sparked a global debate on disability, media ethics, and the fine line between intent and impact.
At the awarding of the British film awards, a man with Tourette syndrome insults two black actors racially. The BBC only removes the calls after criticism. What does the Tic disorder, with which many today diagnose themselves, mean?
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