The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) and BBC issued apologies on Monday for the use of a racial slur that occurred during the broadcast of Sunday’s ceremony featuring actors from the film “Sinners.”
During the event, a Tourette syndrome advocate unintentionally shouted the offensive word, expressing deep regret and clarifying that it did not align with his personal beliefs. The incident happened while Black actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, from “Sinners,” were presenting the award for best visual effects.
Host Alan Cumming, acknowledging the advocate’s presence, apologized to the audience for the disturbance caused by the involuntary outburst. He explained that Tourette syndrome causes uncontrollable tics, emphasizing that the language used was not intentional and should not offend.
Following the incident, the academy expressed regret for the offensive language, recognizing the pain it can cause. They commended the professionalism of Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo in handling the situation.
Tourettes Action, a charity supporting those with Tourette syndrome, emphasized the involuntary nature of tics, urging understanding of the condition. The organization stressed that tics do not reflect a person’s beliefs or character.
Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by involuntary movements or sounds known as tics. The Tourette Association of America notes that about 10-15% of individuals with the syndrome experience coprolalia, which involves involuntary swearing or using socially unacceptable words.
The BBC, which broadcasted the ceremony, apologized for the oversight in not editing out the offensive language associated with Tourette syndrome. The program was subsequently removed, with plans to edit out the slur from the broadcast.
“I Swear,” the film inspired by the Tourette syndrome advocate, won two BAFTA awards, including best actor for Robert Aramayo. At the time of reporting, representatives for the film and the actors involved had not provided comments on the incident.
