With the recent controversy involving Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) being interrupted by Tourette’s advocate John Davidson yelling out the ‘n-word’ during their time speaking onstage, many have questioned Tourette’s Syndrome (TS). As well as the severity of the condition, considering the inappropriate nature of the outburst.
Though BAFTA organizers and the BBC have issued an apology to viewers alongside Jordan and Lindo, many feel that, given the ceremony was pre-recorded, it should have been edited out. This situation sheds light on the condition and how it manifests in the Black community, particularly in terms of awareness and accountability.
What is Tourette Syndrome?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines Tourette syndrome as a condition that causes people to make sudden, impulsive movements, sounds, or twitches, known to many as “tics”. These tics can be categorized as being vocal, motor, simple, complex, or sometimes a combination of these. These tics can vary in duration and frequency depending on the person. For the situation at the BAFTAs, the disruptor would be considered a simple motor tic because of its nature. It would also be considered coprolalia, the type of tic associated with TS, where someone involuntarily blurts out curse words or foul language.
How does Tourette Syndrome Impact Marginalized Communties?
In minority communities, TS shows up differently in comparison to its white counterparts and is significantly underrepresented. African Americans are not diagnosed as often as other racial groups and still face institutional racism when it comes to access to health care. Because there is not as much diverse representation in care for TS to address the specific needs of African Americans in health with the condition, this has created a disparity in accessibility and support.
This disparity is also fed into by the lack of access to care based insurance restrictions, racial bias by medical providers, and geographical location, if there is not a neurologist nearby or a Tourette’s specialist in their care vicinity. An example of this was shown during an Instagram reel posted by the Tourette Association of America where they highlighted one of their youth ambassadors who is a Black woman living with Tourette syndrome. While the origin of the condition is unknown, research has shown links to genetics and environmental factors.
What are the Common Misconceptions?
Some misconceptions that exist about TS are that those with the condition can control their outbursts and that they all only experience coprolalia. According to the Tourette Association of America, only 10-15% of people with the condition experience this derivative of it. Another misconception is that TS is tied to a mental health condition when it is actually a neurological one.
Since the condition is tied to brain functionality and performance, it can still impact one’s mental health. It can also sometimes show up in ways that coincide with other conditions, like ADHD and OCD, in some people.
To learn more about Tourette syndrome or how to get involved in spreading awareness about the condition, you can visit the Tourette Association of America’s website for more details.