British-American actor Delroy Lindo has publicly thanked supporters for the "love and support" he and Michael B Jordan received following a distressing incident at the Bafta awards. During the ceremony on 22 February, a man with Tourette syndrome (TS) shouted the N-word while Lindo and Jordan were on stage presenting an award, an event that sparked widespread controversy and criticism.
Incident at the Bafta Awards
The incident occurred as Lindo and Jordan, both stars of the critically acclaimed film Sinners, were presenting at the Bafta awards in London. John Davidson, a TS activist, involuntarily shouted the slur, which was audible on the BBC's delayed broadcast of the event. The British broadcaster has faced significant backlash for failing to edit out the offensive language, leading to a public apology and a pledge for a fast-track investigation into the oversight.
Response from the Actors and Community
At the NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, Lindo addressed the situation, stating, "We appreciate all the support and love that we have been shown." He described the incident as "a classic case of something that could be very negative becoming very positive," highlighting the outpouring of solidarity from the entertainment industry and beyond. Michael B Jordan, who hails from the Los Angeles area, was present and later won the entertainer of the year award at the same ceremony.
Regina King, while presenting the first award at the NAACP event, praised Lindo and Jordan as "two kings" and expressed admiration for their handling of the situation. The NAACP, the United States' largest civil rights organization, founded to combat racist violence, provided a platform for this show of unity.
Aftermath and Apologies
John Davidson, whose film I Swear about his life with TS was nominated at the Baftas, has expressed deep mortification over the incident, emphasizing that his outburst was involuntary due to his condition. Meanwhile, the BBC has reiterated its apology, committing to review its broadcasting protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The controversy has not overshadowed the success of Sinners, which won best motion picture at the NAACP Image Awards and previously received a record-setting 16 Oscar nominations. Lindo and director Ryan Coogler discussed the Bafta incident on stage, underscoring the resilience and positive response from their peers.
