The Battle Over Renaming John Wayne Airport

There have been calls to rename John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, due to the actor's racist views. In a 1971 Playboy interview, John Wayne made several controversial statements about the Black, Native American, and LGBTQ+ communities. While some residents have defended John Wayne's legacy and opposed the name change, others have suggested changing the airport's name to Santa Ana or Orange County Airport. As of 2020, there has been no official statement from the county regarding the potential renaming of the airport.

John Wayne Airport's history

John Wayne Airport, located in Orange County, California, has a long history that dates back to the early 20th century. The airport began as a private landing strip built in the 1920s by aviation pioneer Eddie Martin on Irvine Company land. In 1923, Martin founded a flying school and Martin Aviation, one of the nation's oldest aviation firms.

In 1939, the airfield became a publicly-owned facility through a land swap between the Irvine Company and the County of Orange, and was named Orange County Airport. During World War II, it served as a military base and was later returned to the county by the federal government with the stipulation that it remain open to all types of aviation uses.

Over the years, the airport underwent several expansions and improvements. In 1967, a new 22,000-square-foot terminal, named the Eddie Martin Terminal, was built to accommodate increasing air traffic. However, noise complaints from nearby communities led to the implementation of a nighttime curfew in the 1970s.

In 1979, the Orange County Board of Supervisors renamed the airport to John Wayne Airport in memory of the actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and passed away that year. This decision sparked controversy due to Wayne's comments in a 1971 Playboy interview, where he expressed support for white supremacy and made derogatory remarks about the LGBTQ+ community, Black people, and Native Americans. Despite the controversy, a bronze statue of Wayne as "Duke" was installed at the airport in 1982.

The Thomas F. Riley Terminal, named after the former Fifth District Supervisor, opened in 1990, and the original Eddie Martin Terminal was demolished in 1994. The airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years, including the addition of new terminals and increased passenger capacity. However, the debate over the airport's name has persisted, with some calling for a rename due to John Wayne's controversial views.

John Wayne's racist remarks

John Wayne, the beloved actor known for his roles in Westerns and war movies, has come under scrutiny for racist remarks made during his lifetime. The most well-known instance of this was an interview with Playboy Magazine in 1971, in which he stated:

> "I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility...I don’t believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people."

Wayne also denied having any empathy for Native Americans, saying:

> "Our so-called stealing of this country from them was just a matter of survival. There were great numbers of people who needed new land and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves."

In addition to these comments, Wayne also called movies such as "Easy Rider" and "Midnight Cowboy" "perverted" and used a gay slur to refer to the two main characters of the latter film. He also expressed his belief that "perverted movies" should be banned to preserve "family values".

As a result of these statements, there have been calls to remove Wayne's name, statue, and other likenesses from the John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California. The airport, previously named Orange County Airport, was renamed in 1979 to honour the actor, who had passed away that same year. However, in light of his racist and bigoted comments, many people, including Democrats in Orange County and local professors, have pushed for the airport to be renamed and for the removal of his statue.

On the other hand, some have opposed these changes, arguing that Wayne's contributions as an actor and philanthropist should be recognised and that removing his name would be a form of "erasing history".

Public opinion on the renaming

Support for Renaming the Airport

Many residents of Orange County have called for the airport to be renamed due to John Wayne's racist views and comments. They argue that his beliefs are not aligned with the values of diversity and tolerance that California strives for. In a 1971 interview with Playboy Magazine, Wayne made statements such as "I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility" and denied having empathy with Native Americans. These comments, along with his views on the LGBTQ+ community, have led to a petition to rename the airport gaining traction. Some residents suggest reverting to the airport's previous name, Santa Ana Airport or Orange County Airport.

Opposition to Renaming the Airport

On the other hand, some individuals, including members of the West Orange County Republican Women Federated, have strongly opposed renaming the airport. They argue that judging historical figures by today's societal values is unfair and that Americans should focus on an individual's full range of contributions to society rather than singular moments of controversy. They believe that John Wayne's achievements as an actor and his recognition, including the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, outweigh his racist remarks. Additionally, some argue that freedom of speech should be considered and that removing his name from the airport would be a form of erasing history.

The process of renaming

To initiate the process of renaming an airport, several factors come into play. Firstly, there must be a compelling reason or justification for the change. In the case of John Wayne Airport, the impetus for a potential renaming stems from the actor's controversial views on race, particularly his comments in a 1970s interview espousing white supremacy. The public's growing awareness of these comments has led to increased calls for the airport's name to be changed.

Once a valid reason for renaming is established, the next step is to garner support and build momentum for the change. This can be achieved through various means, such as petitions, media campaigns, or lobbying local government officials. In the case of John Wayne Airport, residents of Orange County have been actively advocating for the name change, and local professors and the OC Democratic Party have also joined the effort.

The involvement of local government officials is crucial, as they hold the decision-making power. In the case of John Wayne Airport, the Orange County Board of Supervisors has the authority to approve any potential name change. However, it is worth noting that not all supervisors may support the idea, as evidenced by the lack of traction the proposal received in the past.

If a significant portion of the public and key stakeholders are in favour of the renaming, the next step is to gather evidence and build a case for the change. This may include providing documentation, conducting research, or presenting alternative names for consideration. In the case of John Wayne Airport, the comments made by John Wayne in the 1971 Playboy Magazine interview serve as compelling evidence for the need to dissociate the airport from his name.

Finally, the official approval process involves submitting a request to the relevant airport authority, who must provide confirmation to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The airport authority should furnish IATA with evidence of the new name being used at the airport, such as through signage or promotional materials.

While the process of renaming an airport can be complex and may face opposition, it is a viable option when the current name is deemed inappropriate or no longer reflective of the values of the community it serves.

John Wayne's career

John Wayne, born Marion Robert Morrison, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films produced during Hollywood's Golden Age, particularly in Western and war movies. He was among the top box-office draws for three decades and appeared with many other important Hollywood stars of his era.

Wayne's career flourished from the silent era of the 1920s through the American New Wave. He appeared in a total of 179 film and television productions.

His first leading role came in Raoul Walsh's Western "The Big Trail" (1930), an early widescreen film epic that was a box-office failure. He played leading roles in numerous B movies during the 1930s, most of them also Westerns, without becoming a major name. John Ford's "Stagecoach" (1939) made Wayne a mainstream star, and he starred in 142 motion pictures altogether.

Wayne's other notable Western roles included "Red River" (1948), "The Searchers" (1956), "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962), and "True Grit" (1969), for which he received the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Wayne also portrayed aviators in "Flying Tigers" (1942), "Flying Leathernecks" (1951), "Island in the Sky" (1953), "The Wings of Eagles" (1957), and "Jet Pilot" (1957).

He appeared in nearly two dozen of John Ford's films over 20 years, including "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" (1949), "The Quiet Man" (1952), and "The Wings of Eagles" (1957).

Wayne's enduring status as an iconic American was formally recognized by the US government, which awarded him the two highest civilian decorations: the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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