Pamela Rae Schuller, Guest Columnist

The BAFTA Tourette’s Scandal May Fade. The Dialogue Shouldn’t

February 25, 2026 at 5:44 PM UTC

Pamela Rae Schuller is a professional stand-up comedian and disability advocate who lives with Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She has a master's degree in Advocacy and Executive Coaching.

Don’t let this just be an ugly viral moment.
Photographer: Iona Wolff/BAFTA

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Over the last several days, I’ve watched people turn into overnight experts on Tourette syndrome — the neurological disorder I live with.

The takes are everywhere after a jarring and deeply upsetting moment at Sunday’s British Academy Film Awards, when Tourette’s advocate John Davidson — whose life inspired the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear — was heard shouting the N-word at Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo as they presented an award onstage.