What the Baftas N-word controversy revealed about disability and race | Letters

2026-03-02 - 17:52

Readers on the Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson’s tic during the awards ceremony and the aftermath I don’t think anger should be aimed at the BBC for broadcasting the N-word (I was at the Baftas – and while hearing the N-word was unsettling, all anger should be aimed at the BBC, 25 February). As the mother of a mixed-race teenager with Tourette syndrome, I cannot express how sad I am that taking offence at a tic has been justified. My son’s education has been derailed – a teacher took offence at a tic (eye rolling) and he was so humiliated that he left the school. Controversially, I disagree that the N-word should have been edited out in the BBC broadcast. We need to understand the implications of finding someone’s disability offensive. Continue reading...