BAFTA Incident Highlights Challenges for Black People with Tourette Syndrome

A racial slur shouted during the BAFTA awards by someone with Tourette syndrome has sparked complex discussions within the Black community about disability, harm, and accountability. The incident has prompted Black advocates with the neurological condition to speak out about the need for both understanding and acknowledgment of pain caused.

The recent British Academy Film and Television Arts Awards ceremony has sparked difficult conversations among Black individuals living with Tourette syndrome after an attendee’s vocal tic produced a racial slur during a presentation by two Black actors from “Sinners.”

Chloe Winston, a 24-year-old who experiences coprolalia – the same type of verbal tic as BAFTA nominee and Tourette advocate John Davidson who shouted the offensive word – described her conflicted emotions about the situation. “It’s been pretty difficult because I feel like there’s such a clash between both sides,” Winston explained. “A tic is not intentional, but it still causes harm. And I think that does require accountability.”

The outburst occurred precisely when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were announcing the evening’s opening award, creating a controversy that dominated Sunday’s ceremony coverage. Initial reactions included outrage that the performers and other Black guests were exposed to the slur, followed by frustration from disability advocates over misunderstanding about Tourette syndrome. The BBC faced particularly harsh criticism for broadcasting the uncensored slur during their delayed coverage two hours later, unlike most major award shows that use brief delays to prevent such incidents.

Both BAFTA and BBC issued apologies that many deemed inadequate, with the BBC announcing plans to remove the segment from their iPlayer streaming platform.

The controversy has motivated Black individuals with Tourette syndrome, including politicians and social media influencers, to share their perspectives. They emphasize that compassion for those with the condition doesn’t diminish the hurt experienced by the Black community, while calling for recognition of the damage caused. Some express concern that misconceptions about Tourette syndrome might worsen racial profiling or bias against Black people with the disorder.

Advocacy organizations are now leveraging this moment to expand support networks for Black individuals who feel marginalized by their Tourette syndrome diagnosis.

According to the Tourette Association of America, Tourette syndrome represents a neurodevelopmental condition marked by unexpected, uncontrollable movements and sounds known as tics. These manifestations can be physical or vocal, ranging from barely noticeable to severely debilitating.

Dr. Jeremiah Scharf, a tic disorder expert at Massachusetts General Hospital, explained the neurological basis: “We know that there’s this sort of sensory and motor loop happening. And again, similarly in the vocalizations, they typically start with things like coughing, sniffing, or other just non-specific sounds.”

Symptoms typically emerge during elementary years and reach their peak intensity between ages 10 and 14, Scharf noted. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates approximately 1.4 million Americans live with Tourette syndrome or related persistent tic disorders.

Coprolalia involves “the involuntary utterance of obscene and socially unacceptable words and phrases,” affecting an estimated 10-15% of those with Tourette syndrome, according to the association. The organization warns against judging individuals based on their tic content.

These verbal eruptions – usually profanity and offensive language – stem from biological factors that stress can intensify, including sleep deprivation or emotional distress, Scharf explained. The tics resist control and occur involuntarily, comparable to sneezing.

“Unfortunately, for this subset of people, it is incredibly disabling because they don’t want to say those things. It’s very distressing to them,” Scharf said, speaking generally rather than about the specific BAFTA situation. “They feel significant remorse about it.”

Managing severe tic disorders involves various approaches from medications to behavioral interventions. Teaching the brain to manage tics “takes an enormous amount of practice in terms of recognizing when the tics are coming,” Scharf noted, though no universal treatment exists.

Jhónelle Bean, a Black American Sign Language interpreter with Tourette syndrome, addressed the polarized BAFTA discussion through TikTok, where her video about the situation’s complexity has attracted over 3 million viewers.

“Two things can be true at the same time,” Bean stated. “Just because he ticced that does not mean it was intentional. But then also that still caused hurt or harm for people that heard it, which again is why I’m mad at the BAFTAs and the BBC for keeping it in the broadcast in the first place because they had the power to take it out.”

Bean also highlighted discriminatory “ableism” responses suggesting Davidson “should have been locked away, he should’ve had a muzzle, things like that.” However, she disagreed with social media users telling those offended by the slur to simply “get over it.”

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who is Black and has Tourette syndrome, described the physical and mental difficulty of suppressing tics. As someone who also experiences coprolalia, Williams acknowledged Davidson’s attempt to leave the situation, though noted “maybe he could have moved a little sooner.”

“For me, it was all about making sure we’re practicing care. And I don’t think that happened for the two actors that were there or the Black folks who were there or people who didn’t want to hear the word,” Williams said.

Reice Griffin, a 20-year-old Tourette Association of America rising leader and ambassador, described constant anxiety for Black individuals with Tourette syndrome or tic disorders. She has encountered people who witness her tics and assume drug use or aggressive behavior, with police interactions creating additional stress.

“Law enforcement is not well equipped to deal with Tourette syndrome, but also historically, as a Black person, you never really want to be around law enforcement,” Griffin observed.

The association, which provides “I Have TS” identification cards, actively works to increase support for people of color.

Griffin recently participated in a virtual support group for Black young adults and speaks at schools and community events to build confidence.

“I thought that because I had Tourette syndrome that, like, public speaking was out the window,” Griffin reflected. “If I could help another young Black girl with Tourette syndrome not feel as alone or help people get diagnosed — that’s the dream.”

Williams agrees that Black individuals with Tourette syndrome lack adequate support and tries to help by sharing his experiences, leading to direct contact from New Yorkers.

“Sometimes in the street or an event people will bring their family member up which is always a pretty emotional space for me because when I see the kid, I know what they’re going through,” Williams said.