Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Michael B. Jordan, Baftas, BBC, Celebrity
Niamh Shackleton
Delroy Lindo has spoken out after a racial slur was shouted as he and Michael B. Jordan presented an award at the BAFTAs yesterday.
The two actors were on the stage to present the Special Visual Effects Award, the first first award of the night, when Tourette's syndrome activist John Davidson shouted the N-word — something which BAFTAs host Alan Cumming and the BBC have since apologized for.
The Traitors US host 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.
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"Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability and the tics 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."
Meanwhile, the BBC issued an apology for not editing the slur out of its coverage of the event, which aired two hours after it happened.
Now, Lindo has spoken out on the matter himself, telling Vanity Fair that he and Sinners co-star Jordan 'did what we had to'.
He added that he wished that someone from the BAFTAs 'spoke to us afterward'.
According to Sinners production designer Hannah Beachler, there were three incidences of racial slurs being used last night — one of which was reportedly aimed at her.
She penned on Twitter: "I keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can't find the words. The situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show."
Beachler said in a follow-up post: "I understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation. I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of 'if you were offended' at the end of the show."
"Of course we were offended," she went on. "But our frequency, our spiritual vibration is tuned to a higher level than what happened. I am not steal, this did not bounce off of me, but I exist above it. It can't take away from who I am as an artist."
Aramayo portrays Davidson in the film I Swear, and picked up both the Best Actor and Rising Star award at the BAFTAs.
He said: "First of all, there are tics. He is ticcing. We have to understand. The way we perceive Tourette's is a joint responsibility.
“It's not shouting obscenities. It's not being abusive. It's Tourette's. They are tics. If it can lead to a deeper understanding of Tourette's, and movies are part of that conversation, then it's an incredible thing."
The Django Unchained star left several Instagram comments slamming Davidson.
In one, he wrote: "Nah he meant that s**t."
In another, Foxx said: "Out of all the words you could've said, Tourette's makes you say that?"
The Wire actor took to X, saying: “It’s infuriating that the first reaction wasn’t complete and full throatted [sic] apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan.
"The insult to them takes priority. It doesn’t matter the reasoning for the racist slur.”
BAFTA has since issued a statement, which reads: "At the BAFTA Film Awards last night our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all.
"One of our guests, John Davidson MBE, has Tourette Syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of this condition. Tourette Syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over. Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional. John Davidson is an executive producer of the BAFTA nominated film, I Swear, which is based on his life experience.
"We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began, and throughout, that John was in the room and that they may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.
"Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.
"During the ceremony, John chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony from a screen, and we would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him.
"We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all. We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Racial Equity Support Line on 503-575-3764, available weekdays from 10am to 7pm PT. Or via the Lines for Life Equity Team at [email protected].