The BBC wins no marks for its production at the Baftas

In Britain, Black people are often told that real racism is a thing of the past. We’re told that an MP saying adverts “full” of Black and Asian people drive her “mad” is merely stating the obvious (Reform’s Sarah Pochin).

We’re told that Black footballers are compared to monkeys by fans because they bring it on themselves with poor gameplay.

We’re told we’re too sensitive, too biased, too “woke” to understand that the person who said or did the racist thing is not in fact a racist. Perhaps because of the gaslighting we often experience when we call out racism, there are some Black people now firm in their belief that John Davidson is a racist. Last night at the Baftas, Davidson involuntarily blurted out the N-word while two Black actors, Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo (pictured), were on stage.

Davidson has Tourette syndrome, a condition which often makes people say things they do not mean to say. In 1989, a 16-year-old Davidson was the subject of the BBC documentary John’s Not Mad, widely credited with helping many people better understand the condition.

Now 54, Davidson was at the awards ceremony last night to support the cast and crew behind I Swear, a new comedy-drama based on his life after the 1989 documentary aired.

Before the ceremony and throughout the first half, Davidson had several outbursts. Many involved swear words and some happened while others were giving speeches. Some occurred off camera, including at least two further instances of him directing the N-word at Black attendees. Davidson left the awards hall at some point before the second half of the show.

Some people, such as the Bafta-winning actor Jamie Foxx, believe that Davidson had racist intent. Others, such as the Black content creators Jhónelle Bean and Shay Amamiya, who both have Tourette syndrome, have suggested the internet should give him grace. “‘Ableism v racism – who wins?” might be the AI summary of the discourse on X.

I do not know what is in John Davidson’s heart. I do not know if he is a racist. I do know that racism does not require intent. Shouting a racial slur at a Black person is a racist act. With that in mind, the Baftas could have asked its presenter Alan Cumming to give a genuine apology rather than the non-apology he delivered midway through the ceremony: “We apologise if you are offended tonight.” If? He might as well have said: “We’re sorry you feel that way.”

The BBC, which broadcast the pre-recorded ceremony, could have edited out the racist comments: after all, they edited out other things that happened during the night – including award-winning filmmaker and writer Akinola Davies Jr proclaiming “free Palestine”. Producers at the BBC, doubtless wounded from the furore over musician Bob Vylan saying “Death to the IDF” at Glastonbury, were apparently acutely aware that some viewers would find statements about Palestine offensive. It’s a shame no one thought an anti-Black slur would be offensive too.

It’s only now, when the anger has reached a fever pitch online, that the BBC has finally announced they will remove the racial slur from the version of the ceremony on iPlayer. Meanwhile many Black people, yet again, feel as though their concerns about racism are not taken seriously in Britain.

It is also a deep shame that, 37 years after John’s Not Mad, very few people understand Tourette syndrome and how it manifests itself. It should have been a night of celebration for Davidson and the winners. Now, the 79th British Academy Film Awards will be remembered as the year the N-word rang out for millions to hear.

Photograph by Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images