Lois Larson
John Wayne Airport, originally named Orange County Airport, is an international airport in California that serves the Greater Los Angeles area. In 1979, the airport was renamed after the death of actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach. However, in recent years, there have been calls to revert the airport's name change due to racist statements made by John Wayne in a 1971 interview with Playboy. Wayne's comments, which have been perceived as supporting white supremacy and racist attitudes towards Native Americans, have sparked debate among Orange County officials and residents. Some argue that the airport's name should reflect the county's diversity and condemn Wayne's racist views, while others believe that his imperfections should be learned from rather than erased.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for renaming | John Wayne's racist comments in a 1971 Playboy interview |
| Current stance | No renaming |
| Supporters of renaming | Local professors, OC Democratic Party, Chapman University professor Fred Smoller, LA Times reporter Gustavo Arellano |
| Supporters of current name | OC Republican Party, Donald Trump, OC GOP Chairman Fred Whitaker |
| Suggested new names | Santa Ana Airport, Orange County Airport, Santa Ana/Orange County |
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What You'll Learn
- John Wayne Airport was renamed in 1979, shortly after the actor's death
- Wayne's racist comments in a 1971 Playboy interview have sparked calls for the airport's renaming
- The OC Democratic Party supports changing the name, while the OC Republican Party opposes it
- The debate reflects a broader discussion about removing controversial figures from public spaces
- Some suggest the airport be named after its location, such as Orange County Airport or Santa Ana Airport
John Wayne Airport was renamed in 1979, shortly after the actor's death
John Wayne Airport, originally named Orange County Airport, was renamed in 1979, a year in which the actor John Wayne passed away. The airport is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County, California, and is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors renamed the airport in honour of the actor, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach. A statue of John Wayne, also known as "the Duke", was installed at the airline terminal in 1982.
In recent years, there have been calls to remove John Wayne's name from the airport due to racist statements he made in a 1971 interview with Playboy magazine. In the interview, Wayne stated, "I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility." In 2020, local professors and the OC Democratic Party led efforts to rename the airport, citing Wayne's racist comments as contradictory to the diversity of Orange County.
However, others have opposed the renaming, arguing that Wayne's imperfections should be acknowledged but not erased from history. The OC Republican Party and former President Donald Trump were against the name change, stating that Wayne's positive contributions to the nation and Orange County should also be remembered.
The debate over the airport's name continues, with some suggesting alternatives such as Santa Ana Airport or Orange County Airport. The discussion highlights the complexities of commemorating controversial figures in public spaces and the evolving values of the community.
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Wayne's racist comments in a 1971 Playboy interview have sparked calls for the airport's renaming
John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, has been the subject of a heated debate about whether it should be renamed due to racist comments made by the actor in a 1971 Playboy interview. In the interview, Wayne expressed support for white supremacy, stating, "I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility." He also made derogatory remarks about Native Americans, saying, "We'll all be on a reservation soon if the socialists keep subsidizing groups like them with our tax money."
These comments have sparked outrage and calls for the airport's renaming, especially after the interview resurfaced in 2020 following the police murder of George Floyd. Local professors, the OC Democratic Party, and Chapman University professor Fred Smoller have led the charge, arguing that the airport's name should reflect the county's diversity and not glorify racist ideologies. Smoller stated, "We have Wayne’s quotations that are quite racist...That sort of thing is not reflective of who we are and more importantly, who we aspire to be."
On the other hand, the OC Republican Party and former President Donald Trump opposed the renaming efforts. OC Republican Party Chairman Fred Whitaker wrote, "We can remember the good things that John Wayne did for this nation and Orange County...Iconography is about enshrining the larger ideals of good from their lives, not the flaws." He further argued that the efforts to remove people like Wayne from public spaces were driven by a totalitarian ideology.
Wayne's son, Ethan Wayne, has also defended his father, saying that the discussion of removing his name from the airport should consider the full picture of John Wayne's life and not be based solely on a single interview from decades ago. He pointed out that John Wayne's children and grandchildren are Latino, questioning whether someone with such close family ties to the Latin community could be truly racist.
The debate has been ongoing, with some suggesting alternative names such as Santa Ana Airport or Orange County Airport. However, as of 2022, the renaming efforts have not gained traction among county supervisors, with the Republican-dominated Board of Supervisors unwilling to make the change. Despite the controversy, John Wayne Airport remains the official name, and it is unclear if and when a rename will occur.
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The OC Democratic Party supports changing the name, while the OC Republican Party opposes it
The OC Democratic Party supports changing the name of John Wayne Airport, citing the actor's racist comments and beliefs as a reason for their stance. In a 1971 magazine interview, Wayne said, "We can't all of a sudden get down on our knees and turn everything over to the leadership of the blacks. I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility." Local professors and members of the OC Democratic Party believe that these comments are not reflective of the values of Orange County, particularly in light of the county's growing diversity. They argue that a major public building like the airport should bear a name that represents the progress and aspirations of the community.
On the other hand, the OC Republican Party, including then-President Donald Trump and OC Republican Party Chairman Fred Whitaker, opposed the renaming efforts. They acknowledged and condemned Wayne's racist remarks but emphasized the need to remember the positive contributions he made to the nation and Orange County. Whitaker, in a written statement, compared the efforts to remove Wayne's name to Nazi ideology, stating that "iconography is about enshrining the larger ideals of good from their lives, not the flaws." He argued against what he saw as a destructive force driven by radicalism and frenzy.
The debate over the airport's name reflects a broader national conversation about how to reconcile controversial figures of the past with modern values. While some argue for a break from the past to promote inclusivity and progress, others caution against erasing history and advocate for learning from both the positive and negative aspects of historical figures' legacies.
It is worth noting that the discussion about the airport's name is not a new issue. The debate was reignited in 2022, prompting discussions among county supervisors and engaging the local community. However, the renaming efforts did not gain traction at that time, and the airport continues to bear the name of John Wayne, a prominent figure in the history of Orange County.
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The debate reflects a broader discussion about removing controversial figures from public spaces
The debate over whether to rename John Wayne Airport reflects a broader discussion about removing controversial figures from public spaces. The airport, which serves Orange County and the Greater Los Angeles area, was originally named Orange County Airport but was renamed in 1979 to honour actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and died that year.
However, Wayne made several racist statements in a 1971 interview with Playboy, expressing his belief in white supremacy and making derogatory comments about African Americans and Native Americans. As a result, some people, including local professors and the OC Democratic Party, have called for the airport's name to be changed to reflect the county's diversity. They argue that Wayne's racist comments are not reflective of the values of Orange County today.
On the other hand, some people, including the OC Republican Party and former President Donald Trump, have opposed the renaming efforts. They argue that while Wayne's comments were condemnable, we should also remember the good things he did and learn from his imperfections. They see the efforts to remove his name as an assault on their liberties and a form of historical destruction.
This debate reflects a larger conversation happening around the world about how to address controversial figures from history who may have complex legacies. Some people argue that removing their names and likenesses from public spaces is a way to distance ourselves from their more unsavoury beliefs and actions. Others argue that it is essential to preserve history and that removing these figures from public view is not the solution.
The discussion about whether to rename John Wayne Airport remains ongoing, with no clear consensus among the Orange County Board of Supervisors, who have the authority to make the change.
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Some suggest the airport be named after its location, such as Orange County Airport or Santa Ana Airport
Some people have suggested that John Wayne Airport be renamed to reflect its location, such as Orange County Airport or Santa Ana Airport. The airport is located in an unincorporated area of Orange County, and it is owned and operated by the county. It is surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa, and its IATA airport code is registered to Santa Ana, the county seat.
The debate over renaming the airport has been ongoing for several years, with some people arguing that the airport should reflect Orange County's diversity and that Wayne's comments on white supremacy and Native Americans are not reflective of the values of the county. On the other hand, others have argued that the airport should keep its name, saying that we can remember the good things that John Wayne did and condemn his racist remarks at the same time. They argue that removing his name from the airport would be akin to destroying history.
Those in favor of renaming the airport to Orange County Airport or Santa Ana Airport argue that a location-based name would be simple and to the point, and that it would be more inclusive and reflective of the diversity of the county. They suggest that a civic building such as an airport should not bear the name of a person, especially one with controversial views.
Additionally, some people have pointed out the irony and embarrassment of Orange County still having its airport named after John Wayne, given the county's diverse population. They argue that the name should reflect the new Orange County and that a location-based name would be a more neutral and welcoming choice.
Overall, the suggestion to rename John Wayne Airport to Orange County Airport or Santa Ana Airport is based on the idea of creating a more inclusive and welcoming space that reflects the diversity and values of the community it serves.
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Frequently asked questions
In a 1971 interview with Playboy, John Wayne made comments that have been interpreted as racist and in support of white supremacy. As a result, some people believe that his name and likeness should be removed from the airport.
In the interview, John Wayne is quoted as saying, "I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility." He also made negative comments about Native Americans and African Americans.
The response to the calls for renaming has been mixed. Some people, including local Democrats and professors, support the idea, while others, including the OC Republican Party and then-President Donald Trump, oppose it. The Republicans, who dominate the Board of Supervisors, have stated that they will not rename the airport as they see it as an assault on their liberties.
Some people have suggested that the airport be renamed to Santa Ana Airport, Orange County Airport, or simply use its IATA code, SNA.
