Alan Cumming has apologized for an incident at the BAFTAs where audience member John Davidson, who has Tourette’s Syndrome, directed a racial slur at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.
Sharing a post on Instagram on Monday (Mar. 2), Cumming, who hosted the ceremony, finally addressed the incident that has garnered international scrutiny.
“It’s now a week since I hosted the BAFTAs,” Cumming’s post read, “What should have been an evening celebrating creativity as well as diversity and inclusion turned into a trauma-triggering s—show.”
“I’m so sorry for all the pain Black people have felt at hearing that word echoed around the world,” Cumming continued. “I’m so sorry the Tourette[‘]s community has been reminded of the lack of understanding and tolerance that abounds regarding their condition.”
Cummings then congratulated all those who won awards but were largely forgotten about because of the incident.
“The only possible good that could come of this is a reminder that words matter. That rushing to judgment about things of which we are not fully cognisant is folly. And that all trauma must be recognised and honoured,” he added. “We were all let down by decisions made to both broadcast slurs and censor free speech. Congratulations to all the artists whose work was overshadowed by the night’s events.”
DAVIDSON APOLOGIZED ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Davidson also shared an apology on Sunday (Mar. 1) for the “pain” his actions caused.
“I’ve been waiting all week until the dust settles after the weekend at the BAFTAs in London,” he wrote on Facebook. “I would like to thank each and every one of you who have shown love, support, and solidarity towards myself and the rest of the Tourette’s Community.’
LINDO THANKED ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORTED HIM AND JORDAN
At the NAACP Image Awards on Saturday (Feb.28), Lindo thanked everyone for their love and support of him and Jordan.
I’d just like to officially say, I appreciate, we appreciate all the support and love we have been shown in the aftermath of what happened last weekend. It means a lot to us.”
Lindo described the event as “a classic case of something that could be very negative becoming very positive.”