The initial drama and fallout due to a Tourette syndrome (TS) activist John Davidson’s outbursts at the The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) on February 22 when guest John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, shouted the N-word at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo while they were onstage has pretty much subsided. That being said, the conversations, emotions, and outrage that were ignited in response to the incident have continued, including Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce expressing their dismay at the incident. Davidson attended the BAFTAs for I Swear, the movie that explains his life of enduring hostility triggered by Tourette syndrome that was nominated for several awards. It was reported that he was heard numerous times yelling during the ceremony, including using the N-word while actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were on stage presenting the evening’s first prize. BAFTA issued an apology, and Davidson eventually delivered a latent apology the following day.

Regrets notwithstanding, such apologies did not prohibit many people, in particular, Black people, from weighing in and dispensing their commentaries on the incident. Academy award winner Jamie Foxx commented “Unacceptable” and “Nah he meant shit.” Jemele Hill commented on social media: “Black people are just supposed to be OK with being disrespected and dehumanized so that other people don’t feel bad,” and the intensely dramatic actor Wendell Pierce commented: “It’s infuriating that the first reaction wasn’t complete and full throated [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.” Additionally, Sinners’ production designer Hannah Beachler said that she had racial slurs directed at her and denounced what she referred to as the “throwaway” apology. “I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throwaway apology of BAFTA ‘if you were offended’ at the end of the show.” Indeed!

BAFTA’s host Alan Cumming made two announcements during the ceremony explaining the situation, saying: “Tourette syndrome is a disability, and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight.” A BBC spokesperson apologized for Davidson’s shouts, saying: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards 2026. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome and was not intentional. We apologize for any offense caused by the language heard.” Delroy Lindo addressed the controversy and received a standing ovation at the NAACP Image Awards.

The fact that Jordan and Lindo were subjected to such offensive language that was unleashed upon them in public, leaving them and many in the audience uncomfortable (as well as those who witnessed the sordid incident on broadcast before the BBC re edited it), made them understandably annoyed and outraged. Again, the truth is that Tourette Syndrome is a challenging disability and those who suffer from the affliction like any other should be granted some degree of leeway. If John Davidson was genuinely contrite, then that is good to hear. If his response was disingenuous, it confirms the comments that most of his critics have publicly stated.

The truth is that the BAFTA awards are hardly the only place where people have used the N-word, and Davidson is far from the only White person to have uttered the term. This reminds one of comedian Michael Richard’s vile, crude, and viciously racist outburst almost two decades ago. Comedian Michael Richards hurled his racist diatribe toward a racially mixed group of twenty-somethings who he felt were overly loud and “disrespectful” to him. Whether this was, in fact, the case, one thing is certain, Richard’s response was the epitome of racial hostility and disrespect. Paula Deen, MAGA Trump blowhard Ted Nugent and the always verbally irascible Bill Maher are just some of the White men and women who have employed the word as part of their verbal arsenal. In the case of Nugent, it was done brazenly and without apology. Truth be told, Paula Deen’s public act of contrition more than a decade ago appeared less than genuine. Her defiant body language spoke for itself.

NASCAR driver Kyle Larson was temporarily suspended for his callous use of the term in 2020 while speaking with others in a tense conversation. To his credit, which is not saying much considering the situation at hand, the biracial (White and Asian), Larson did not attempt to deflect blame, dance around the controversy, react defensively, or pass the blame onto others. He took responsibility for his morally reductive actions and did not attempt to offer any lame, insincere, or pathetic excuses for what he said and did.

More often than not, the fact is that many people with right-wing views (and a few neo and faux liberals) have no compunction directing their racial ire toward Black people. This is a group of people (along with other non-Whites) who many on the far-right love to objectify, marginalize, and deeply despise. Black people, in their minds, are not seen as fully human. Indeed, this accounts for the sustaining popularity of Donald Trump among his MAGA base of voters. Pretty much every opportunity he gets, Trump spreads blatant racism for his overwhelmingly White, right wing conservative fans to remind them that he, like them, despises Blacks and other non-Whites.

What was also noteworthy and, quite frankly, downright disingenuous, is that many bloggers were posting feverishly protective defenses of their use of the N-word, simultaneously questioning why it was permissible for Black people to espouse the word “nigger” while other people could not. As can be imagined, the usual comments and whataboutisms are routinely plastered all over various blogs:

The word is used in rap and hip-hop songs all the time.

What about Black people who call one another that word all the time?

Look at all the Black comedians who use it in their stand-up routines.

What about all the Black athletes who say the word?

And on and on and on.

While there is some truth in such allegations, the fact is that it does not result in justifiable reasons for any other White person to use the word. Any sane person with any degree of historical awareness is astute enough to know that the word “nigger” is a racially loaded word that was wickedly and maliciously employed by more than a few Whites in a sinister effort to psychologically malign and dehumanize Black people. The word was aggressively weaponized to demoralize us. There was nothing positive or redeeming in its use because it related to Black people. Within the Black community, the word is more nuanced and varied. Thus, debate regarding the term is ongoing. The all-Black jury is still out, so to speak.

Even more disturbing is that some White people are so adamant in their unhinged efforts to make perverse justifications for using the word. My question and response to them is, really? Are you serious? Why would you even want to use the word?! Is it a free speech issue? Hell, as a man, I can say the words b*itch and c*nt. That does not mean I should want to make all sorts of foolish and perverse justifications for doing so. The same would apply to wanting to use other racially demeaning terms to verbally assault and insult other ethnic groups. No thanks! Not my style!

If a White person is quoting a piece of literature, reading an article where the word is used or in a similar vein, then use of the term is allowed, although even then, it would be more judicious to say “the N-word.” Otherwise, it is a word that should not be pursed on a White person’s lips or coming out of their mouth! Period! Can you be stopped from using the word? Of course not. That being said, there may very well be consequences for you doing so. The fact that you would argue so fiercely in defense of having the right to use such a less than flattering word is questionable and profoundly disturbing. Moreover, for those who fall into this category, I doubt that the main reason for taking such an ardent stance is free speech, but rather, speech of another variation. Sad!