I was at the Baftas and while hearing the N-word was unsettling, all anger should be aimed at the BBC | Jason Okundaye

"It was right that Davidson was invited into this space (any suggestion that he should've been confined to a separate room or contained in a soundproof box is, plainly, discrimination) and also that the possibility of tics was mitigated with a disclaimer. But, God, isn't this the worst possible outcome you could imagine?"

"Many will wonder how it felt to be a black person in the room in that moment, hearing that incendiary word, which carries with it generational histories of pain and brutality. And I suppose you would expect that I was immediately upset or angered by it. In truth, the most I felt was a degree of awkwardness."

"I also felt immensely sad for Jordan and Lindo, seeing their faces drop as they stood on stage only to hear that word. There is no amount of warning that could truly prepare you for how the w"

At the BAFTA Awards, John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome campaigner featured in the film I Swear, was introduced with a disclaimer that attendees might hear involuntary vocal tics. Throughout the ceremony, Davidson's tics produced various outbursts, ranging from mild profanities to deeply offensive language including a racial slur. While the initial tics drew knowing reactions, the use of the N-word during a presentation by Black actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo created significant discomfort. The incident highlighted the complex challenge of creating truly inclusive spaces while managing the unpredictable nature of Tourette syndrome, raising questions about preparation, sensitivity, and the limits of disclaimers in mitigating harm.

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