THE BLOG OF DRU #2: DON’T TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

I knew I had to say something. 

Anything. 

Everything. 

When something heavy comes into my spirit, I gotta get it off my chest. 

I’ll say this: At least this incident didn’t happen in America. Otherwise, we can say “same shit, different day.” 

On second thought: maybe this is another example of “same shit, different day.”

So many layers in this story. 

So many strays that need to be sent out. 

Let’s get to it.

The incident that I’m referring to is the infamous BAFTA ceremony that took place last weekend, involving actors Michael B Jordan and the legendary Delroy Lindo. They were on the stage presenting an award when, out of nowhere it seems, a man shouted out the word NIGGER multiple times towards the actors. Michael and Delroy continued on with the presentation, but afterwards it was clear the damage was already done. The man who shouted the outbursts was Tourette syndrome activist John Davidson (who was the topic of one of the films that was nominated, entitled I Swear.)

Like I stated earlier before, SO many layers to this incident. Let’s start off by giving props to both Michael and Delroy. Because man I ain’t gonna hold y’all…they are better than me in that case. Well okay, they’re better than the old me. Because the old me would have crashed out, without knowing what we know now involving the man who shouted out the word and the fallout beyond the event. It’s easy to lose your cool in a situation like this one. It’s sad and unfortunate that this happened, but we all need to say certain quiet parts out loud: 

The BBC messed up by not editing the word out in a quicker manner. (The event was pre-taped, so I don’t want to hear any excuses. It wasn’t LIVE.) There is NO reason why this couldn’t be edited out but earlier in the event, a “free Palestine” comment slipped through the cracks (that’s another story for another day). The BBC, and even BAFTA for their half ass apology (and effort towards apologizing to the actors) deserved all the heat that it got from the public. Even Warner Bros (Warner Bros of all groups!) stepped in and said something. 

I think BAFTA set John up to be in a position to say what he said, which I can’t give him a lot of heat for because based on some of the statements I’ve read, the BAFTA should have NOT given him a mic during any point of the awards ceremony. I can understand John’s questioning why he was seated near a mic. Did BAFTA know that he could have said something hurtful? Did they care? Did John’s team say anything? Too many questions.

OR, John Davidson is a racist, or was taught racism like views, despite his conditioning. Because of ALL the words that came into his mind, the first thing he thinks of is NIGGER when he sees people of color, mainly black men? It’s something deeper than the Tourette’s because you are taught to say what he said. Was John taught and if so, from who? How was his upbringing? Is John a villain or a terrible person? Maybe he is. Maybe he isn’t. This topic can easily be explored more in its own spin off article, but it’s certainly a topic/talking point to really look into. 

And the throwaway apology from actor Alan Cumming? It was lazy. The typical “I’m sorry if you were offended” line. Again, lazy, uncreative and stupid. 

But the one layer I want to dive into more, something that is deeper than what’s being portrayed on the surface level is this: I’m tired of having people say to us (us, meaning black people) that we need to show class and grace when disrespect is thrown in our face.

Yes. You’re right. To a certain extent.

Does it mean go off on someone like slapping or physically assaulting them?(see Will Smith/Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars) No. And I’m not really for that unless that’s your very LAST option. But to hear the continued, tired, overplayed trope of us needing to turn the other cheek is fascinating, and fucking ignorant at the same time. (See anything related to Serena Williams during her tennis career. See certain black actors and actresses being told to be thankful for their positioning in Hollywood. See Laura Ingraham telling Lebron James to “shut up and dribble”) I could go on and on, but hopefully you get the point.

Add in the political climate that we are in, when it seems like certain white people are getting more bolder with the disrespect in person because of who is leading this country, it’s getting to the point of almost provoking, like you’re testing us. And when you provoke something, eventually you will have to deal with the consequences. I don’t know why WE should be quiet.  I never was a fan of this thinking. It builds resentment and it will make it seem like we are “weak” and “soft” by just taking the disrespect, while other races can respond the way they want to. Violence isn’t the full time answer, but sometimes you don’t have a choice. History states that when we fight back, the fallout can be damaging for the opposite side. 

I don’t know Michael and Delroy personally, but I’m sure they had a lot of thoughts running in their head when they were being called a NIGGER, and one of those thoughts could have been to fight back, verbally. And I wouldn’t have blamed them. On the other side of the coin, if they did respond towards a man who has a disability, then the heat would have been on them. Dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t.

To sum this up, turning the other cheek is good and dandy. 

But pushing back is a choice too.

And it’s a choice that I will always stand by and stand for.