Tourette’s Debate Sparked at BAFTAS Film Awards
A heated public debate about Tourette’s syndrome and public understanding of the neurological condition has erupted following an incident at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Film Awards, widely known as the BAFTAS Film Awards, after campaigner John Davidson was heard shouting profanities and slurs during a live segment of the ceremony. “A debate has been sparked among BAFTA Film Awards attendees and online after a Tourette’s campaigner, John Davidson, was heard cursing throughout the show,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The disruption occurred midway through the televised event at London’s Royal Festival Hall within the Baftas event, as presenters were introducing nominees for a major category. Audience members reported hearing loud cursing and offensive language from a section of the auditorium. Security personnel quickly intervened, and the broadcast briefly cut away from the stage.
Davidson, a well-known advocate who has spoken publicly about living with Tourette’s syndrome, later confirmed he was responsible for the outbursts. In a statement released the following day, he said the episode was the result of severe vocal tics, including coprolalia, a rare symptom of Tourette’s that can involve involuntary swearing or socially inappropriate remarks.
Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by involuntary motor and vocal tics. While many people with Tourette’s experience mild symptoms, only a minority exhibit coprolalia. Many groups continue to say that this is highly misrepresented and highly exaggerated than it actually is. “After the ceremony, Lindo told Vanity Fair that he and Jordan “did what we had to do” as they carried on presenting the category, but also said he wished “someone from Bafta spoke to us afterward,” according to BBC News.
Courtesy of clickfarmer (Flickr CC0)Some critics questioned whether BAFTAS organizers had been adequately informed about Davidson’s condition and whether appropriate accommodations were in place. Many others were defending the individual saying that it spreads more awareness about certain illnesses that cannot be seen.
Disability rights advocates have called for a more nuanced public conversation. “Moments like this can either reinforce stigma or encourage education,” said one campaigner. “It’s important to separate intentional misconduct from neurological symptoms.”
As there are more discussions that continue, this particular incident demonstrates how difficult it could be to maintain decorum within a certain event, and how important it is to accommodate people based on what they need. There is a clear understanding between those that witnessed this event live, and the rest of the world, that Tourette’s needs to be understood on a deeper level, and there needs to be more done in order to address it.
Sources:
The Hollywood Reporter: Tourette’s Debate Sparked at BAFTA Film Awards After Campaigner John Davidson Heard Cursing, Shouting Slurs at Presenters
BBC News: BBC sorry for airing racial slur shouted by guest with Tourette’s at Baftas
Featured Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of clickfarmer’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
