Topics: Michael B. Jordan, Baftas, BBC, Celebrity
Delroy Lindo has spoken out after a racial slur was shouted at him as he and Michael B. Jordan presented an award at the BAFTAs yesterday.
The two actors were on the stage to present the Special Visual Effects Award, the first first award of the night, when Tourette's syndrome activist David Johnson shouted the N-word — something which BAFTAs host Alan Cumming and the BBC have since apologized for.
The Traitors US host said: "You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience.
"Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.
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"Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette’s Syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight."
Meanwhile the BBC said sorry for not editing the slur out of its coverage of the event, which aired two hours after it happened.
Now Lindo has spoken out on the matter himself, telling Vanity Fair that he and Sinners co-star Jordan 'did what we had to'.
He added that he wished that someone from the BAFTAs 'spoke to us afterward'.
UNILAD have approached BAFTA for comment.
According to Sinners production designer Hannah Beachler, there were three incidences of racial slurs being used last night — one of which was reportedly aimed at her.
She penned on Twitter: "I keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can't find the words. The situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show."
Beachler said in a follow-up post: "I understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation. I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of 'if you were offended' at the end of the show."
"Of course we were offended," she went on, "but our frequency, our spiritual vibration is tuned to a higher level than what happened. I am not steal, this did not bounce off of me, but I exist above it. It can't take away from who I am as an artist."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Racial Equity Support Line on 503-575-3764, available weekdays from 10am to 7pm PT. Or via the Lines for Life Equity Team at [email protected].
