Bafta awards controversy

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The "apology" is terrible, just awful. Not a single word recognizing the impact of his actions. Just more plugging of his own project.

I am far less sympathetic after this statement than I was before it, to be honest. How hard would it be to acknowledge harm, if you are writing a statement anyway?

https://variety.com/2026/film/awards/i-swear-john-davidson-deeply-mortified-shouting-n-word-baftas-1236670082/

I'm trying to be understanding but, yes, this is a pretty poor apology. I am learning that people with Tourettes don't think they should have to apologize for who they are (and I agree to an extent), but they shouldn't ignore the potential harm their tics could cause others. Davidson didn't even acknowledge the specific harm that word in that setting would cause the Black folks on the receiving end.

When you have this condition for years and years and so this is an hourly / frequent occurance for you, it is different from someone hearing for the first time. It is just the norm for the person with the disability. I worked in a setting with people who had OCD and Tourette's that were so severe that they were hospitalized. Their rituals and outbursts often didn't even regster with them due to the frequency and severity - other than they were exhausted and frustrated. Since they are not controllable - they aren't doig a deep dive into the impact of something they can't control. For some of them the rituals or outbursts were multiple times a minute, over and over and over - thousands of times a day. There isn't a conscious reflective thought process that reflects and dissects each ritual or outburst and its impact as it is just part of their life and a part that brings them so much struggle and pain.

This was obviously a different setting but over time I am sure he gets somewhat numb to the impact and has to just carry on as he likely has frequent tics and vocalizations and can't stop his life and what he is going a hundred times a day to do a reflection and to find those he has caused an impact to and to try to see what they need from him to resolve any harm they felt. He likely gets looks and comments of disgust all day every day - it is just part of his existance.

I get that and I'm not referring to normal daily interactions. I imagine having this condition is beyond exhausting and reading accounts from people with Tourettes is saddening. But, making this statement, after an international incident like what we're discussing, that was presumably crafted and vetted by his team and the movie studio should have been a little more emphatic and less self- promotional.

+1 Davidson is asking for a lot of grace, while extending none. For a statement that I assume was run through at least one PR professional, it's remarkably lacking in depth or understanding of the impact of his actions.

Actions need to be under control. Vocalizations and tics are not considered actions. There is no aim or goal, they are involuntary and not under the control of the individual.

Wow. You are just determined to insist that persons with disabilities have no agency whatsoever, and no responsibility to live in a society. Even if you thought that, for PR reasons you should want this apology to be better because this is how millions of people around the world are learning about vocal tics, and if the message they take away is "racial slurs need no apology," then G-d knows where we'll end up.

No, I just understand the difference between intentional / unintentional, involuntary / voluntary, controlled / uncontrolled. He did not make a racial slur - he had an involuntary vocal tic of word that can also be used and intended as a racial slur.

So, your argument is that he happened to make a sound "that can be used and intended as a racial slur" three times and only at Black folks, but we should not call it a slur because it only CAN be used as a slur?

That is right. The sound can be made and the word can be said without it being a slur. If two black people say it to each other, it can be understand as something other than a racial slur, if a Japanese person says 那个 which sounds the same, it can be understood as something other than a racial slur, and if a person with involuntary vocal ticks says it as part of their disability, it can be understood as something other than a racial slur.

LOL. This is hilarious. He used it when Black men were onstage, when a Black woman walked by on the red carpet, and when Black folks were honored at the dinner, but it is "something other than a racial slur."

Sure. Sure.

It’s incredible the lengths that some of these posters will go to in order to protect a white man from providing a sincere apology.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:He had no intent so what is he apologizing for - the inconvenience of his disability?

If a blind man bumps into someone who loses their balance, is it physical assault? Should he be hit in turn and arrested for his physical violence?

There are quitea few conditions, including severe ASD where people have vocalizations that are uncontolled and involutary. That is the nature of the condition. Can it be bothersome - yes but that is what diversity is - accepting inclusion of people who are diverse and different from you.

You can't be against John Davidson but for Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion. You are either for both or against both.

Impact matters over intent. It’s amazing that you can’t understand if you do something without intending to, you still apologize for causing harm.

Some people would be on a 24/7 apology tour - especially parents of kids with significant autism whose behaviours can impact continuously. Basically you feel they need to apologize for existing and for having a disability. I had a client with a muscle disorder whose spasms meant I got hit / kicked often. I definitely didn't need an apology letter every time that demonstrated she truly understands the impact of her actions on me. This outburst isn't about intent even as it is uncontrolled and involuntary. Intent is usually related to someone not having the knowledge or understanding. People don't choose to have a disability. You have no idea likely how he modifies his day and his life continously - and the humiliation and pain he deals with daily with this disorder so your view that he should be hung in the town square because the disability / intent / controllability aren't relevant - shows you need to watch his movie more than anyone.

You missed the point. It’s not about his intent but the IMPACT of what he said. His disability isn’t an excuse to not apologizing for the harm he caused.

He didn't cause harm.

Are you just trolling or do you really believe that?

I believe that. If my infant throws up on my nice sweater just as I am about to leave for work - I do not feel the infant caused me harm and that they need to take responsibility or the impact of their actions. I do in fact consider that it was involuntary, uncontrolled and there was zero intent to soil my clothes as it is simply part of being an infant. How would you want me to hold my infant accountable and responsible for the harm they caused and the impact on me and my day?

I don't see my infant as harming me nor do I see copralalia as harming me. When things are involuntary and uncontrollable and due to factors outside the control of the person - I see them as such.

If a narcoleptic or someone with a seizure disorder drives and causes an accident, should they be held responsible? If highly functioning autistic man makes gross sexual comments to a female coworker, should that just be ok?

There are numerous scenarios where a disability doesn't completely excuse actions and that's okay.

That's not even to mention how infantilizing a disabled person is offensive to them and you've quite literally infantilized Davidson.

This is why Davidson would have been fired if it was a place of employment.

He would not have been. There are many people with Tourette Syndrome and copralalia and other physical and vocal tics in the workplace. They are protected under the ADA. Through education, awareness, getting to know their colleague, accommodations, and getting used to it - it isn't a major issue for most. I am sure some people still don't feel people with Tourette's should be allowed in the workplace but those views would be seen as prejudiced and any action to fire them for their disability would be discrimination.

No, the ADA doesn’t protect your ability to curse and scream the N word.

https://www.bradley.com/insights/publications/2024/02/curse-words-and-customer-servicesixth-circuit-affirms-dismissal-of-tourette-syndrome-ada-claim

Here’s a case where an employee sued her employer after being subjected to racist comments from a coworker. The court said “… that an employer can lawfully take action against an employee with Tourette syndrome if "the disability-caused behavior is disruptive to co-workers."https://www.constangy.com/employment-labor-insider/employer-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place

Here’s another one: https://www.studicata.com/summaries/united-states-district-court-southern-district-of-georgia/ray-v-kroger-company-2003-i62thm/

Here’s a case about a different type of disability: https://cases.justia.com/federal/appellate-courts/ca8/14-2495/14-2495-2015-03-09.pdf?ts=1425913281

The Tourettes cases involve customer facing roles and the 3rd one was about a different disorder. Sounds like if they weren’t customer facing it would have been different.

Nope. “ … that an employer can lawfully take action against an employee with Tourette syndrome if "the disability-caused behavior is disruptive to co-workers."

Take action? Like what?

Do you not work?

Do you? Because you don't automatically get fired. So what "action" are you hoping for? They can alter shifts, move you to a less customer facing role, change your work location but they don't just fire you.

So you were just asking rhetorical questions for???

Because the legal cases don't say what you think they say.

They do. And good luck getting a court in the US to say otherwise in your lifetime.

Why would I care? Has nothing to do with me. But they didn't resort to immediately firing people for saying slurs. That's not how it works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "apology" is terrible, just awful. Not a single word recognizing the impact of his actions. Just more plugging of his own project.

I am far less sympathetic after this statement than I was before it, to be honest. How hard would it be to acknowledge harm, if you are writing a statement anyway?

https://variety.com/2026/film/awards/i-swear-john-davidson-deeply-mortified-shouting-n-word-baftas-1236670082/

I'm trying to be understanding but, yes, this is a pretty poor apology. I am learning that people with Tourettes don't think they should have to apologize for who they are (and I agree to an extent), but they shouldn't ignore the potential harm their tics could cause others. Davidson didn't even acknowledge the specific harm that word in that setting would cause the Black folks on the receiving end.

When you have this condition for years and years and so this is an hourly / frequent occurance for you, it is different from someone hearing for the first time. It is just the norm for the person with the disability. I worked in a setting with people who had OCD and Tourette's that were so severe that they were hospitalized. Their rituals and outbursts often didn't even regster with them due to the frequency and severity - other than they were exhausted and frustrated. Since they are not controllable - they aren't doig a deep dive into the impact of something they can't control. For some of them the rituals or outbursts were multiple times a minute, over and over and over - thousands of times a day. There isn't a conscious reflective thought process that reflects and dissects each ritual or outburst and its impact as it is just part of their life and a part that brings them so much struggle and pain.

This was obviously a different setting but over time I am sure he gets somewhat numb to the impact and has to just carry on as he likely has frequent tics and vocalizations and can't stop his life and what he is going a hundred times a day to do a reflection and to find those he has caused an impact to and to try to see what they need from him to resolve any harm they felt. He likely gets looks and comments of disgust all day every day - it is just part of his existance.

I get that and I'm not referring to normal daily interactions. I imagine having this condition is beyond exhausting and reading accounts from people with Tourettes is saddening. But, making this statement, after an international incident like what we're discussing, that was presumably crafted and vetted by his team and the movie studio should have been a little more emphatic and less self- promotional.

+1 Davidson is asking for a lot of grace, while extending none. For a statement that I assume was run through at least one PR professional, it's remarkably lacking in depth or understanding of the impact of his actions.

Actions need to be under control. Vocalizations and tics are not considered actions. There is no aim or goal, they are involuntary and not under the control of the individual.

Wow. You are just determined to insist that persons with disabilities have no agency whatsoever, and no responsibility to live in a society. Even if you thought that, for PR reasons you should want this apology to be better because this is how millions of people around the world are learning about vocal tics, and if the message they take away is "racial slurs need no apology," then G-d knows where we'll end up.

No, I just understand the difference between intentional / unintentional, involuntary / voluntary, controlled / uncontrolled. He did not make a racial slur - he had an involuntary vocal tic of word that can also be used and intended as a racial slur.

So, your argument is that he happened to make a sound "that can be used and intended as a racial slur" three times and only at Black folks, but we should not call it a slur because it only CAN be used as a slur?

That is right. The sound can be made and the word can be said without it being a slur. If two black people say it to each other, it can be understand as something other than a racial slur, if a Japanese person says 那个 which sounds the same, it can be understood as something other than a racial slur, and if a person with involuntary vocal ticks says it as part of their disability, it can be understood as something other than a racial slur.

LOL. This is hilarious. He used it when Black men were onstage, when a Black woman walked by on the red carpet, and when Black folks were honored at the dinner, but it is "something other than a racial slur."

Sure. Sure.

It’s incredible the lengths that some of these posters will go to in order to protect a white man from providing a sincere apology.

You might want to take that up with the ADA.

[Anonymous]

It is ridiculous that the pendulum has swung so far that people think if someone has a disability they have the right to act inappropriately and be disruptive behavior on any occasion and at any time. No need to apologize at all.

And then to add to the injury another person steps in to add further insult by saying "if you were offended". What? it was incredibly offensive language that was used.

This was the opening award presented at the BAFTA. The guy yelling vile words ruined that moment for the Black presenters AND the award winners for Best Visual Effects (Avatar: Fire & Ash). Has he apologized to the award winner who had their moment of glory spoiled?

Has he apologized for according for other outbursts that ruined other presenters and award winners?

" A number of outbursts could be heard throughout the BAFTA ceremony, including “shut the f*ck up” being shouted during an introductory speech from BAFTA chair Sara Putt and “f*ck you” when the directors of “Boong,” which won the BAFTA for best children’s and family film, accepted their award."

The guy should absolutely not have been in the audience. OR the first time he shouted "shut the f*ck up" he should have left or been told to leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "apology" is terrible, just awful. Not a single word recognizing the impact of his actions. Just more plugging of his own project.

I am far less sympathetic after this statement than I was before it, to be honest. How hard would it be to acknowledge harm, if you are writing a statement anyway?

https://variety.com/2026/film/awards/i-swear-john-davidson-deeply-mortified-shouting-n-word-baftas-1236670082/

I'm trying to be understanding but, yes, this is a pretty poor apology. I am learning that people with Tourettes don't think they should have to apologize for who they are (and I agree to an extent), but they shouldn't ignore the potential harm their tics could cause others. Davidson didn't even acknowledge the specific harm that word in that setting would cause the Black folks on the receiving end.

When you have this condition for years and years and so this is an hourly / frequent occurance for you, it is different from someone hearing for the first time. It is just the norm for the person with the disability. I worked in a setting with people who had OCD and Tourette's that were so severe that they were hospitalized. Their rituals and outbursts often didn't even regster with them due to the frequency and severity - other than they were exhausted and frustrated. Since they are not controllable - they aren't doig a deep dive into the impact of something they can't control. For some of them the rituals or outbursts were multiple times a minute, over and over and over - thousands of times a day. There isn't a conscious reflective thought process that reflects and dissects each ritual or outburst and its impact as it is just part of their life and a part that brings them so much struggle and pain.

This was obviously a different setting but over time I am sure he gets somewhat numb to the impact and has to just carry on as he likely has frequent tics and vocalizations and can't stop his life and what he is going a hundred times a day to do a reflection and to find those he has caused an impact to and to try to see what they need from him to resolve any harm they felt. He likely gets looks and comments of disgust all day every day - it is just part of his existance.

I get that and I'm not referring to normal daily interactions. I imagine having this condition is beyond exhausting and reading accounts from people with Tourettes is saddening. But, making this statement, after an international incident like what we're discussing, that was presumably crafted and vetted by his team and the movie studio should have been a little more emphatic and less self- promotional.

+1 Davidson is asking for a lot of grace, while extending none. For a statement that I assume was run through at least one PR professional, it's remarkably lacking in depth or understanding of the impact of his actions.

Actions need to be under control. Vocalizations and tics are not considered actions. There is no aim or goal, they are involuntary and not under the control of the individual.

Wow. You are just determined to insist that persons with disabilities have no agency whatsoever, and no responsibility to live in a society. Even if you thought that, for PR reasons you should want this apology to be better because this is how millions of people around the world are learning about vocal tics, and if the message they take away is "racial slurs need no apology," then G-d knows where we'll end up.

No, I just understand the difference between intentional / unintentional, involuntary / voluntary, controlled / uncontrolled. He did not make a racial slur - he had an involuntary vocal tic of word that can also be used and intended as a racial slur.

So, your argument is that he happened to make a sound "that can be used and intended as a racial slur" three times and only at Black folks, but we should not call it a slur because it only CAN be used as a slur?

That is right. The sound can be made and the word can be said without it being a slur. If two black people say it to each other, it can be understand as something other than a racial slur, if a Japanese person says 那个 which sounds the same, it can be understood as something other than a racial slur, and if a person with involuntary vocal ticks says it as part of their disability, it can be understood as something other than a racial slur.

LOL. This is hilarious. He used it when Black men were onstage, when a Black woman walked by on the red carpet, and when Black folks were honored at the dinner, but it is "something other than a racial slur."

Sure. Sure.

It’s incredible the lengths that some of these posters will go to in order to protect a white man from providing a sincere apology.

You might want to take that up with the ADA.

?

The ADA doesn’t address apologie, it’s called being a decent human being. If someone in a wheelchair runs over my foot because they can’t control themselves, I still expect an apology.

This guy should apologize. He makes people with Tourette’s seem like real jerks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "apology" is terrible, just awful. Not a single word recognizing the impact of his actions. Just more plugging of his own project.

I am far less sympathetic after this statement than I was before it, to be honest. How hard would it be to acknowledge harm, if you are writing a statement anyway?

https://variety.com/2026/film/awards/i-swear-john-davidson-deeply-mortified-shouting-n-word-baftas-1236670082/

I'm trying to be understanding but, yes, this is a pretty poor apology. I am learning that people with Tourettes don't think they should have to apologize for who they are (and I agree to an extent), but they shouldn't ignore the potential harm their tics could cause others. Davidson didn't even acknowledge the specific harm that word in that setting would cause the Black folks on the receiving end.

When you have this condition for years and years and so this is an hourly / frequent occurance for you, it is different from someone hearing for the first time. It is just the norm for the person with the disability. I worked in a setting with people who had OCD and Tourette's that were so severe that they were hospitalized. Their rituals and outbursts often didn't even regster with them due to the frequency and severity - other than they were exhausted and frustrated. Since they are not controllable - they aren't doig a deep dive into the impact of something they can't control. For some of them the rituals or outbursts were multiple times a minute, over and over and over - thousands of times a day. There isn't a conscious reflective thought process that reflects and dissects each ritual or outburst and its impact as it is just part of their life and a part that brings them so much struggle and pain.

This was obviously a different setting but over time I am sure he gets somewhat numb to the impact and has to just carry on as he likely has frequent tics and vocalizations and can't stop his life and what he is going a hundred times a day to do a reflection and to find those he has caused an impact to and to try to see what they need from him to resolve any harm they felt. He likely gets looks and comments of disgust all day every day - it is just part of his existance.

I get that and I'm not referring to normal daily interactions. I imagine having this condition is beyond exhausting and reading accounts from people with Tourettes is saddening. But, making this statement, after an international incident like what we're discussing, that was presumably crafted and vetted by his team and the movie studio should have been a little more emphatic and less self- promotional.

+1 Davidson is asking for a lot of grace, while extending none. For a statement that I assume was run through at least one PR professional, it's remarkably lacking in depth or understanding of the impact of his actions.

Actions need to be under control. Vocalizations and tics are not considered actions. There is no aim or goal, they are involuntary and not under the control of the individual.

Wow. You are just determined to insist that persons with disabilities have no agency whatsoever, and no responsibility to live in a society. Even if you thought that, for PR reasons you should want this apology to be better because this is how millions of people around the world are learning about vocal tics, and if the message they take away is "racial slurs need no apology," then G-d knows where we'll end up.

No, I just understand the difference between intentional / unintentional, involuntary / voluntary, controlled / uncontrolled. He did not make a racial slur - he had an involuntary vocal tic of word that can also be used and intended as a racial slur.

So, your argument is that he happened to make a sound "that can be used and intended as a racial slur" three times and only at Black folks, but we should not call it a slur because it only CAN be used as a slur?

That is right. The sound can be made and the word can be said without it being a slur. If two black people say it to each other, it can be understand as something other than a racial slur, if a Japanese person says 那个 which sounds the same, it can be understood as something other than a racial slur, and if a person with involuntary vocal ticks says it as part of their disability, it can be understood as something other than a racial slur.

LOL. This is hilarious. He used it when Black men were onstage, when a Black woman walked by on the red carpet, and when Black folks were honored at the dinner, but it is "something other than a racial slur."

Sure. Sure.

It’s incredible the lengths that some of these posters will go to in order to protect a white man from providing a sincere apology.

You might want to take that up with the ADA.

We have. It’s not protected and this has already been discussed on this thread.

[Anonymous]

BAFTAs and BBC have now apologized. I can't find a statement from Michael B Jordan. Delroy Lindo doesn't demonize John but wouldn't have appreciated more from the BAFTA team.

Ironically the actor who played John in I Swear won the award for best actor - beating Chalamet and DiCaprio. I wonder if the movie will now be blacklisted given the actor demonstrates copralalia and many see that as cursing, racism, sexism, and not something that should be given any air time due to how offensive it will be to the audience.

That main actor and a couple others who worked on the movie (including a black actor who was his lawyer) have called for grace and a stop to the hate being directed at John. Working on the movie and getting to know John gave them an understanding and appreciation of the battle he deals with daily and of who he is as a person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He had no intent so what is he apologizing for - the inconvenience of his disability?

If a blind man bumps into someone who loses their balance, is it physical assault? Should he be hit in turn and arrested for his physical violence?

There are quitea few conditions, including severe ASD where people have vocalizations that are uncontolled and involutary. That is the nature of the condition. Can it be bothersome - yes but that is what diversity is - accepting inclusion of people who are diverse and different from you.

You can't be against John Davidson but for Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion. You are either for both or against both.

Impact matters over intent. It’s amazing that you can’t understand if you do something without intending to, you still apologize for causing harm.

Some people would be on a 24/7 apology tour - especially parents of kids with significant autism whose behaviours can impact continuously. Basically you feel they need to apologize for existing and for having a disability. I had a client with a muscle disorder whose spasms meant I got hit / kicked often. I definitely didn't need an apology letter every time that demonstrated she truly understands the impact of her actions on me. This outburst isn't about intent even as it is uncontrolled and involuntary. Intent is usually related to someone not having the knowledge or understanding. People don't choose to have a disability. You have no idea likely how he modifies his day and his life continously - and the humiliation and pain he deals with daily with this disorder so your view that he should be hung in the town square because the disability / intent / controllability aren't relevant - shows you need to watch his movie more than anyone.

You missed the point. It’s not about his intent but the IMPACT of what he said. His disability isn’t an excuse to not apologizing for the harm he caused.

He didn't cause harm.

Are you just trolling or do you really believe that?

I believe that. If my infant throws up on my nice sweater just as I am about to leave for work - I do not feel the infant caused me harm and that they need to take responsibility or the impact of their actions. I do in fact consider that it was involuntary, uncontrolled and there was zero intent to soil my clothes as it is simply part of being an infant. How would you want me to hold my infant accountable and responsible for the harm they caused and the impact on me and my day?

I don't see my infant as harming me nor do I see copralalia as harming me. When things are involuntary and uncontrollable and due to factors outside the control of the person - I see them as such.

If you have to compare a disabled adult to an infant to defend their decision to remain in a public place when they want to scream the n-word, you are ableist yourself.

He felt he had the right to stay no matter what came out of his mouth. Make of that what you will. But don’t compare it to an infant with indigestion.

Both might intend no harm, but one is fully aware he might cause it and decides it’s worth the risk.

Psychiatrist here-you are completely wrong.

I am an adult who became disabled at middle age. I would not want a psychiatrist who infantilized adults with disabilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure where this goes, in entertainment or health. But the bayta awards were going on with a Scottish person who has Tourette’s shouted the N word while two black men were on stage. So all over the internet there’s a huge fight of racism vs ableism . I’m siding with the people saying it’s racist. He did it when two blacks were on stage and people are outraged anyone is upset. Imagine it had been a Holocaust event and he shouted “Hitler should have finished the job” . People furious for suggesting he shouldn’t attend events if he can’t control himself

Tourette's guy should have excused himself immediately and clapped his hands over his mouth if he needed to.

I get that it's a tic, but it's also an offensive disruption. There's got to be a balance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The "apology" is terrible, just awful. Not a single word recognizing the impact of his actions. Just more plugging of his own project.

I am far less sympathetic after this statement than I was before it, to be honest. How hard would it be to acknowledge harm, if you are writing a statement anyway?

https://variety.com/2026/film/awards/i-swear-john-davidson-deeply-mortified-shouting-n-word-baftas-1236670082/

I'm trying to be understanding but, yes, this is a pretty poor apology. I am learning that people with Tourettes don't think they should have to apologize for who they are (and I agree to an extent), but they shouldn't ignore the potential harm their tics could cause others. Davidson didn't even acknowledge the specific harm that word in that setting would cause the Black folks on the receiving end.

When you have this condition for years and years and so this is an hourly / frequent occurance for you, it is different from someone hearing for the first time. It is just the norm for the person with the disability. I worked in a setting with people who had OCD and Tourette's that were so severe that they were hospitalized. Their rituals and outbursts often didn't even regster with them due to the frequency and severity - other than they were exhausted and frustrated. Since they are not controllable - they aren't doig a deep dive into the impact of something they can't control. For some of them the rituals or outbursts were multiple times a minute, over and over and over - thousands of times a day. There isn't a conscious reflective thought process that reflects and dissects each ritual or outburst and its impact as it is just part of their life and a part that brings them so much struggle and pain.

This was obviously a different setting but over time I am sure he gets somewhat numb to the impact and has to just carry on as he likely has frequent tics and vocalizations and can't stop his life and what he is going a hundred times a day to do a reflection and to find those he has caused an impact to and to try to see what they need from him to resolve any harm they felt. He likely gets looks and comments of disgust all day every day - it is just part of his existance.

I get that and I'm not referring to normal daily interactions. I imagine having this condition is beyond exhausting and reading accounts from people with Tourettes is saddening. But, making this statement, after an international incident like what we're discussing, that was presumably crafted and vetted by his team and the movie studio should have been a little more emphatic and less self- promotional.

+1 Davidson is asking for a lot of grace, while extending none. For a statement that I assume was run through at least one PR professional, it's remarkably lacking in depth or understanding of the impact of his actions.

This.

[Anonymous]

Could some with this particular form of TS become a news anchor? A kindergarten teacher?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:He had no intent so what is he apologizing for - the inconvenience of his disability?

If a blind man bumps into someone who loses their balance, is it physical assault? Should he be hit in turn and arrested for his physical violence?

There are quitea few conditions, including severe ASD where people have vocalizations that are uncontolled and involutary. That is the nature of the condition. Can it be bothersome - yes but that is what diversity is - accepting inclusion of people who are diverse and different from you.

You can't be against John Davidson but for Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion. You are either for both or against both.

Impact matters over intent. It’s amazing that you can’t understand if you do something without intending to, you still apologize for causing harm.

Some people would be on a 24/7 apology tour - especially parents of kids with significant autism whose behaviours can impact continuously. Basically you feel they need to apologize for existing and for having a disability. I had a client with a muscle disorder whose spasms meant I got hit / kicked often. I definitely didn't need an apology letter every time that demonstrated she truly understands the impact of her actions on me. This outburst isn't about intent even as it is uncontrolled and involuntary. Intent is usually related to someone not having the knowledge or understanding. People don't choose to have a disability. You have no idea likely how he modifies his day and his life continously - and the humiliation and pain he deals with daily with this disorder so your view that he should be hung in the town square because the disability / intent / controllability aren't relevant - shows you need to watch his movie more than anyone.

You missed the point. It’s not about his intent but the IMPACT of what he said. His disability isn’t an excuse to not apologizing for the harm he caused.

He didn't cause harm.

Are you just trolling or do you really believe that?

I believe that. If my infant throws up on my nice sweater just as I am about to leave for work - I do not feel the infant caused me harm and that they need to take responsibility or the impact of their actions. I do in fact consider that it was involuntary, uncontrolled and there was zero intent to soil my clothes as it is simply part of being an infant. How would you want me to hold my infant accountable and responsible for the harm they caused and the impact on me and my day?

I don't see my infant as harming me nor do I see copralalia as harming me. When things are involuntary and uncontrollable and due to factors outside the control of the person - I see them as such.

If you have to compare a disabled adult to an infant to defend their decision to remain in a public place when they want to scream the n-word, you are ableist yourself.

He felt he had the right to stay no matter what came out of his mouth. Make of that what you will. But don’t compare it to an infant with indigestion.

Both might intend no harm, but one is fully aware he might cause it and decides it’s worth the risk.

Psychiatrist here-you are completely wrong.

I am an adult who became disabled at middle age. I would not want a psychiatrist who infantilized adults with disabilities.

Does this guy have a disability or not? If people think he can and should control and make apologies for it, it then it sounds like they don't believe his disability is real.

[Anonymous]

This is a clip of the movie. The opening scene is basically what happened at the BAFTAs where he was terrified of being in an audience of an event because of what he might say. Now his worst nightmare has come true in real life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KWIt20bKf8

I hope he has good mental health support. I could see the hate and humiliation and embarrassment and desire from many that he remove himself from society to be too much to bear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could some with this particular form of TS become a news anchor? A kindergarten teacher?

Why not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could some with this particular form of TS become a news anchor? A kindergarten teacher?

There was a movie years ago called Front of the Class also based on a true story of a man with TS who fought very hard to became an elementary school teacher. He faced a ton of stigma and discrimination but eventually was successful and became quite a well loved teacher.