BAFTA host Alan Cumming took to Instagram on Monday to address the 79th annual awards ceremony in which Tourette activist John Davidson yelled the N-word and shouted the N-word while “The Sinners” stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage.
“What was supposed to be a night to celebrate creativity, diversity and inclusion turned into a traumatizing shitshow,” Cumming wrote. “I am truly sorry for all the pain Black people felt hearing these words echo around the world. I am truly sorry that the Truett community was reminded of so much lack of understanding and tolerance regarding their condition.”
He added, “The only good thing to come out of this is a reminder that words matter, that it’s foolish to rush to judgment about things we don’t fully recognize, and that all trauma should be recognized and respected.”
BAFTA did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment.
Mr Cumming added that he felt “disappointed” that the BBC had allowed the N-word to be heard on air while “censoring free speech”. The two-time Emmy winner is likely referring to the network’s cutting out of Akinola Davis Jr.’s “Liberate Palestine” speech during his acceptance speech for Outstanding British Debut for “My Father’s Shadow.”
Cumming concluded his post by congratulating all BAFTA award winners.
