| "...Davidson’s slur..." 12:36 - Feb 23 with 2296 views | giant_stow |
https://www.theguardian.com/fi
A well-meaning article starts off ok-ish, but still can't quite understand that this wasn't a slur - it was an involuntary tick.
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 12:40 - Feb 23 with 1776 views | JakeITFC |
Think it is still quite an awful thing for the people in attendance to be subjected to, involuntary or not (and is a slur by definition if not by intention). Not sure how it is avoided but it certainly could have been handled better. |  | | |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 12:46 - Feb 23 with 1718 views | giant_stow |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 12:40 - Feb 23 by JakeITFC |
Think it is still quite an awful thing for the people in attendance to be subjected to, involuntary or not (and is a slur by definition if not by intention). Not sure how it is avoided but it certainly could have been handled better. |
I'm white, so its highly likely that I shouldn't comment, but if you insist the word 'slur' was correct, to be fully correct, it at least ought be preceded by the word 'involuntary'. Anything else suggests he had some agency in his actions.
I'm not sure how it could have been handled better tbh - there was an apology. I've seen people on Twitter saying he should have been sat in a green room somewhere to avoid this - highly discriminatory. | |
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:13 - Feb 23 with 1576 views | ElderGrizzly |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 12:40 - Feb 23 by JakeITFC |
Think it is still quite an awful thing for the people in attendance to be subjected to, involuntary or not (and is a slur by definition if not by intention). Not sure how it is avoided but it certainly could have been handled better. |
While everyone accepts Tourettes causes people to say and have involuntary reactions, the use of the N word doesn't appear to be a natural 'tic'.
Unless it is natural to use that word in normal life?
That's the issue here I assume. No-one would care if he just went on like Father Jack |  | | |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:15 - Feb 23 with 1536 views | mrfixit426 |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:13 - Feb 23 by ElderGrizzly |
While everyone accepts Tourettes causes people to say and have involuntary reactions, the use of the N word doesn't appear to be a natural 'tic'.
Unless it is natural to use that word in normal life?
That's the issue here I assume. No-one would care if he just went on like Father Jack |
I would suggest you go and have yourself a good read about it. |  | | |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:17 - Feb 23 with 1493 views | Zx1988 |
I can understand both sides here.
Until I read the article, I hadn't known about BAFTA cutting other bits from the broadcast. Cutting support for Palestine and criticism of Trump's USA, whilst keeping in Davidson's use of the N-word does, in my eyes, make it rather worse. |  |
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:19 - Feb 23 with 1465 views | Wacko |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:13 - Feb 23 by ElderGrizzly |
While everyone accepts Tourettes causes people to say and have involuntary reactions, the use of the N word doesn't appear to be a natural 'tic'.
Unless it is natural to use that word in normal life?
That's the issue here I assume. No-one would care if he just went on like Father Jack |
That is precisely what a tic is - it’s the uncontrollable urge to say inappropriate and offensive things. There’s nothing “natural” about it. | |
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:22 - Feb 23 with 1423 views | giant_stow |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:13 - Feb 23 by ElderGrizzly |
While everyone accepts Tourettes causes people to say and have involuntary reactions, the use of the N word doesn't appear to be a natural 'tic'.
Unless it is natural to use that word in normal life?
That's the issue here I assume. No-one would care if he just went on like Father Jack |
think that's harsh bordering on ableist tbh.
Its normal for people with Tourette's to blurt out the worst possible things. In such a stressful environment, where he must have been anxious about something like this happening, its no surprise that Tourettes fcked him over. | |
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:33 - Feb 23 with 1288 views | Zx1988 |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:22 - Feb 23 by giant_stow |
think that's harsh bordering on ableist tbh.
Its normal for people with Tourette's to blurt out the worst possible things. In such a stressful environment, where he must have been anxious about something like this happening, its no surprise that Tourettes fcked him over. |
Agree with you there.
I seem to recall seeing a documentary with John Davidson in it, where I think he discussed how the tics aren't necessarily random, and can be driven by an urge NOT to say something.
In those circumstances, and with his knowledge of how his condition affects him, I can very easily see how he would have said what he said despite such a word not being anywhere near his normal vocabulary. | |
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:34 - Feb 23 with 1278 views | chantryblueboy |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:13 - Feb 23 by ElderGrizzly |
While everyone accepts Tourettes causes people to say and have involuntary reactions, the use of the N word doesn't appear to be a natural 'tic'.
Unless it is natural to use that word in normal life?
That's the issue here I assume. No-one would care if he just went on like Father Jack |
Presumably you’re really offended on behalf of Paddington Bear as well | | | |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:39 - Feb 23 with 1224 views | redrickstuhaart |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:22 - Feb 23 by giant_stow |
think that's harsh bordering on ableist tbh.
Its normal for people with Tourette's to blurt out the worst possible things. In such a stressful environment, where he must have been anxious about something like this happening, its no surprise that Tourettes fcked him over. |
This. I thought this was well understood by now. | |
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:43 - Feb 23 with 1195 views | chicoazul |
On the one hand ableism is a real thing and why shouldn’t old mate attend the BAFTAs.
On the other hand they edited Free Palestine out and chose to leave the slur in. Unless it would be considered ableist to remove it? And that there is some sort of rule that differentiates between political rhetoric and basically anything else? |  |
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:48 - Feb 23 with 1152 views | DJR |
That's a very curious article, and I am not sure how well-meaning it is, because it seems to suggest the only way for people with Tourette's to get by is to be hidden from the public, which has presumably been their problem all along.
Indeed, wasn't the whole point of the film (based on Davidson) to try to help people's understanding of the condition?
And I thought this, from Wikipedia, was sad.
"Davidson left of his own accord during the second half of the ceremony."
I think I would do the same if I had been called out by the host. [Post edited 23 Feb 14:22]
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| "John's not mad"..... on 13:49 - Feb 23 with 1148 views | Bloots |
....people should watch it, they would learn something.
I very, very much doubt he is racist too. |  |
| "The holy trinity” - TWTD User (Jan 2026) |
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:49 - Feb 23 with 1144 views | FromReuserWithLove |
Maybe the Beeb should have jus edited it out and avoid all this attention and high engagement numbers? |  | | |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:57 - Feb 23 with 1089 views | Zx1988 |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:48 - Feb 23 by DJR |
That's a very curious article, and I am not sure how well-meaning it is, because it seems to suggest the only way for people with Tourette's to get by is to be hidden from the public, which has presumably been their problem all along.
Indeed, wasn't the whole point of the film (based on Davidson) to try to help people's understanding of the condition?
And I thought this, from Wikipedia, was sad.
"Davidson left of his own accord during the second half of the ceremony."
I think I would do the same if I had been called out by the host. [Post edited 23 Feb 14:22]
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That last part is the saddest bit of all.
Hopefully BAFTA did the requisite prep-work before the evening, such as making sure that everyone knew that Davidson was going to be present, that there might be offensive outbursts, and the reasons for said outbursts.
If that's the case, then I cannot understand the outrage about the 'if you were offended' apology from BAFTA. | |
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| "John's not mad"..... on 13:59 - Feb 23 with 1087 views | DJR |
| "John's not mad"..... on 13:49 - Feb 23 by Bloots |
....people should watch it, they would learn something.
I very, very much doubt he is racist too. |
This is what Tourette's Action said.
"We also want to address the negative comments that have surfaced following John’s involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony.
We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt but, at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome, tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions or character.
“People with Tourette’s can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse and feel great distress about afterwards.
“These symptoms are neurological, not intentional, and they are something John – like many others with Tourette’s – lives with every single day.”"
It went on to say that it had found the “backlash” to the incident “deeply saddening” and added that Mr Davidson had made a decision to leave the ceremony early. | | | |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 14:03 - Feb 23 with 1032 views | Swansea_Blue |
Poor bloke. I bet he was gutted (are you aware of what you're shouting out with Tourettes? I assume you are). You couldn't set this up worse if you tried after the controversy they've had about lack of black representation.
It seems a bit odd to leave it in the screening.
As an aside, it's good to see Nunez pick up an award (rhs in in the Paddington picture) |  |
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 14:10 - Feb 23 with 990 views | Zx1988 |
Some of the quotes in another of the Guardian's articles are awful:
Foxx commented below a post about the incident on social media, saying, “Unacceptable” and “Nah he meant that shit”. Journalist Jemele Hill said on social media: “Black people are just supposed to be ok with being disrespected and dehumanised so that other people don’t feel bad”, and actor Wendell Pierce said: “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.”
The reaction shows a complete and utter lack of understanding of Tourettes, especially from Jamie Foxx. I'd imagine that Davidson would have grounds to absolutely sue the pants off him if he was so inclined. | |
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 14:20 - Feb 23 with 951 views | GlasgowBlue |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:13 - Feb 23 by ElderGrizzly |
While everyone accepts Tourettes causes people to say and have involuntary reactions, the use of the N word doesn't appear to be a natural 'tic'.
Unless it is natural to use that word in normal life?
That's the issue here I assume. No-one would care if he just went on like Father Jack |
"No-one would care if he just went on like Father Jack". That's pretty insensitive EG and completely out of character. |  |
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| "John's not mad"..... on 14:24 - Feb 23 with 913 views | chicoazul |
| "John's not mad"..... on 13:49 - Feb 23 by Bloots |
....people should watch it, they would learn something.
I very, very much doubt he is racist too. |
Tourette’s de France | |
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 14:24 - Feb 23 with 917 views | Dubtractor |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:22 - Feb 23 by giant_stow |
think that's harsh bordering on ableist tbh.
Its normal for people with Tourette's to blurt out the worst possible things. In such a stressful environment, where he must have been anxious about something like this happening, its no surprise that Tourettes fcked him over. |
I'll share something I've not shared before (why would I!) But I'm a lifelong sufferer of various motor tics, very much on the same spectrum as tourettes, though never had the vocal tics.
Some of the explanations in this thread of how it affects the brain are spot on. It really is a case of fighting your brain's urge to do something, whether that is a facial tic, swearing, coughing before you speak, any number if things that you evidently don't want to do. To an extent you can suppress it, but can be an exhausting battle at times, and its usually temporary. The more stressed you are the more the brain gets active in a way you don't want it to. I take pretty strong meds to slow down my brain activity.
Edit: probably a better word/phrase than stress would be over stimulation. The more you throw at the brain, the more it reacts.
The phrase 'involuntary' is key. You don't want to do it, but find it hard to stop it, even though you know its about to happen.
I'm lucky that it doesn't impact my life really, insofar as that i decided years ago that I wouldn't let it, but I can't imagine how debilitating it must be to have tourette syndrome, as what I have can be utterly exhausting mentally. [Post edited 23 Feb 14:33]
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 14:31 - Feb 23 with 859 views | Swansea_Blue |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 14:24 - Feb 23 by Dubtractor |
I'll share something I've not shared before (why would I!) But I'm a lifelong sufferer of various motor tics, very much on the same spectrum as tourettes, though never had the vocal tics.
Some of the explanations in this thread of how it affects the brain are spot on. It really is a case of fighting your brain's urge to do something, whether that is a facial tic, swearing, coughing before you speak, any number if things that you evidently don't want to do. To an extent you can suppress it, but can be an exhausting battle at times, and its usually temporary. The more stressed you are the more the brain gets active in a way you don't want it to. I take pretty strong meds to slow down my brain activity.
Edit: probably a better word/phrase than stress would be over stimulation. The more you throw at the brain, the more it reacts.
The phrase 'involuntary' is key. You don't want to do it, but find it hard to stop it, even though you know its about to happen.
I'm lucky that it doesn't impact my life really, insofar as that i decided years ago that I wouldn't let it, but I can't imagine how debilitating it must be to have tourette syndrome, as what I have can be utterly exhausting mentally. [Post edited 23 Feb 14:33]
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"I take pretty strong meds to slow down my brain activity."
We can tell Dubs 
There's a shocking level of ignorance on display in some of those quotes. I've never walked in the shoes of a black guy or someone suffering from tics, but surely the minimum understanding people should have in 2026 is that tics are involuntary? To say 'nah, he meant it' is staggering. I know it must be a pain in the arse living in black skin and suffering from relentless racism, but surely it's still possible to have some empathy and understanding of people who are different to yourself? | |
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| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 14:33 - Feb 23 with 852 views | ElderGrizzly |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 13:22 - Feb 23 by giant_stow |
think that's harsh bordering on ableist tbh.
Its normal for people with Tourette's to blurt out the worst possible things. In such a stressful environment, where he must have been anxious about something like this happening, its no surprise that Tourettes fcked him over. |
I have an ex-colleague with Tourettes and never saw him shout the N word. Plenty of other things, just not that.
I wasn't meant to be harsh, for which I apologise if that's how it was taken. More an observation. | | | |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 14:36 - Feb 23 with 827 views | ElderGrizzly |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 14:20 - Feb 23 by GlasgowBlue |
"No-one would care if he just went on like Father Jack". That's pretty insensitive EG and completely out of character. |
Sorry, I clumsily meant more in the words used with that reference.
It's the one word that the article has picked up about and my poorly phrased reference was trying to say the BBC would not have apologised for any other language. | | | |
| "...Davidson’s slur..." on 14:37 - Feb 23 with 819 views | _CliveBaker_ |
Assumed this would be about Jim |  | | |
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