First, if you think he said the expletive on purpose, you need to educate yourself about Tourette Syndrome, specifically coprolalia, which is a tic disorder associated with Tourette.
Number two, why was the expletive not bleeped or covered up? It was not a live broadcast. They took out "Free Palestine " from an acceptance speech, but not THAT?!
Number three, I think Mr. Davidson should have apologized. He should have apologized for the EFFECT that the word had. I didn't feel this way initially, but after reading some comments from other people with disabilities, I came to a different conclusion.
Someone with epilepsy posted that they hit someone while experiencing a seizure. They apologized, even though there was no intent to harm
Something similar happened to a man whose CPAP machine malfunctioned during the night. He thrashed around, unable to breathe, and smacked his wife accidentally.
Someone with cerebral palsy also posted about accidentally hitting someone. They apologized.
Words can hurt too. They can cause trauma.
Mr. Davidson's comments were about himself - his gratitude to those who understood his comments were not intentional. No mention about the effect that word had - on the presenters onstage, people in the audience, and those who viewed the broadcast.
I'm not suggesting he apologize for having a disability. I'm asking him to think about that word in particular, it's history and significance in our society.
Lack of intent doesn't always mean no pain was inflicted.
librarianintx
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