As part of the debate on racism in the United States, Democrats in Orange County, California want to rename an airport named after western legend John Wayne, who died in 1979.
The reason was statements by Wayne in a “Playboy” interview from 1971, in which the Hollywood star had said that he believed in the superiority of the white (“White Supremacy”) and blacks still needed upbringing like that CNN broadcaster reported on Monday.
The interview was last reappeared in 2019 and shared on social media. Since then, the number of voices calling for the airport to be renamed has increased. “It is now time for a change,” said Orange County Democratic leader Ada Briceno.
According to a proposal by the Democrats, which the government of the administrative district now has to decide, the airport, located around 65 kilometers southeast of Los Angeles, is simply called Orange County Airport.
Oscar winner John Wayne (“The Marshall”) personified the traditional values of the US pioneering era as an actor and was known for his conservative political positions.
Orange County gave the name to the actor to the airport, which opened in 1923, right after Wayne’s death. In 1982 a 2.70 meter statue of John Wayne was also erected.
According to CNN, Wayne’s son Ethan said last year that his father’s quotes were being taken out of context. (dpa, Tsp)
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