The backlash to the BAFTAs incident in which Tourette’s campaigner yelled a racial slur has continued, with comments from Jamie Foxx having sparked major debate online.
John Davidson, the focus of new film I Swear, yelled out the N word whilst Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage, with the BBC failing to edit this out of the BAFTAs broadcast despite a two-hour delay.
Davidson has since come out and apologised however Jamie Foxx sparked his own controversy when he commented on Instagram saying that the Tourette’s campaigner ‘meant that sh*t’.
He continued in another comment, saying: “Out of all the words, you could've said Tourette's makes you say that… unacceptable.”
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A black woman with Tourette’s has fired back at his comments however.
Speaking exclusively to LADbible, Versatile, a black DJ who has Tourette’s syndrome, said that she felt the comments were ‘ignorant’.
Versatile had previously gone viral on TikTok for discussing the controversy, saying it is a ‘teachable moment’ and calling for understanding for how both sides were harmed.
In a new interview with LADbible though Versatile hit out at Foxx’s comments, saying: “I saw it, I thought it was ignorant. If you google Tourette’s syndrome it literally says ‘neurological involuntary disorder’. It gives you a whole brief [AI Summary of what the disorder is] .
“For him to say that, he’s not thinking [without bias] and I get it because obviously the word holds weight, but at the same time show some compassion to people with disabilities and Tourette’s.
“Try and understand and then formulate your opinion off of understanding rather than quick defence and emotion you know.
“Let it be that you have a complete picture of what Tourette’s is and how that affected the moment both for both communities.
“You know that was a very ignorant comment I didn't like it at all. I did not like it, it was very distasteful.”
Versatile was similarly critical of online suggestions that John Davidson should have been sat in a different room away from the ceremony due to the potential that he might tic as he did on the night.
She said: “You know, for me, that's where ableism comes in because why should why should he have to sit separate from everybody else?
“That's exclusion you can't do that, you're not including him in the conversation, you're not including him in the atmosphere.”
Versatile went on to point out that he also had a film that was up for awards at the BAFTAs, with Robert Aramayo winning Best Actor for his portrayal of John in I Swear.
She added: “He shouldn't be segregated from everybody else that's unjust and it’s unfair.”
Both the BBC and the BAFTAs have issued apologies, with the awards show ‘apologising unreservedly’ to Delroy and Michael, adding that they thanked John for his ‘dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him’.
A BBC spokesperson said, in response to the slur being included in the edit despite the two hour delay: “The BBC has been reviewing what happened at BAFTA on Sunday evening. This was a serious mistake and the Director-General has instructed the Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) to complete a fast-tracked investigation and provide a full response to complainants.”
LADbible have contacted representatives for Jamie Foxx for comment.
Topics: BAFTAs, Jamie Foxx, Michael B Jordan, TV and Film, Celebrity
Michael Slavin