The BAFTAS and the BBC Failed Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, and John Davidson
Last night, the BAFTAs made headlines–and not for a good reason. John Davidson, who is diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and attended the BAFTA Film Awards as the subject of the nominated biopic I Swear, had several outbursts throughout the ceremony. Host Alan Cumming asked guests for “understanding.”
“You may have noticed some strong language in the background,” he said. “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.”
According to Variety, who reported this instance: “Sources [said] after the ceremony that floor managers warned guests and attendees sitting around Davidson of his condition, without specifying what kinds of outbursts they might hear. According to multiple sources, none of the nominees or attendees were contacted by BAFTA or BBC ahead of the show with any such warnings.”
Variety also reported that some of the outbursts included “‘shut the f*** up’ being shouted during an introductory speech from BAFTA chair Sara Putt and ‘f*** you’ when the directors of Boong, which won the BAFTA for best children’s and family film, accepted their award.”
However, hosts Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were entirely unprepared when, while presenting the award for best visual effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash, Davidson’s outburst included the N-word. The audience was, understandably, shocked, and the BBC did not edit the slur from its broadcast. They did make sure to edit out Outstanding-British-Debut-winner Akinola Davies Jr. saying “free Palestine,” though.
Though BBC did apologize, it comes too little, too late. Not only did BBC and the BAFTAs fail Lindo and Jordan, they also failed Davidson. The incident has sparked ableism arguments online, causing more drama to a disease that is already taken far too lightly by the general public.
It’s really a very simple matter of mutual respect
Users on X jumped in defending Lindo and Jordan. One user pointed out, “Also, Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were not aware of anything relating to John Davison condition or whatever. All they knew was some anti-Black weirdo hurled genocidal bigotry at them.”
At the Warner Bros. afterparty, Lindo told Vanity Fair that he and Jordan “did what we had to do” while presenting, but that he also wished “someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterward.”
That onus for an apology of this magnitude should not fall upon the shoulders of the host. Though it is necessary that Cumming addressed it to the crowd, his wording could have been better and the fact of the matter is that BAFTA should have apologized immediately to Lindo and Jordan.
If you want inclusivity, you have to be aware that that may sometimes come with warnings. It’s unfortunate that this is many people’s first exposure to Davidson and I Swear. Hopefully BAFTA will do better in the future.
(featured image by JB Lacroix/WireImage)
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