Lois Larson
John Wayne Airport, originally named Orange County Airport, was renamed in 1979 to honour the actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and died that year. However, following the murder of George Floyd, there have been calls to change the name of the airport due to comments the actor made in support of white supremacy in a 1971 Playboy interview. Petitions have emerged, highlighting the need to honour individuals who align with modern values and promote inclusivity in public spaces. Despite this, some supervisors have opposed the name change, arguing that Wayne is not celebrated for his views and that society should be able to distinguish between a person's positive and negative actions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for name change | John Wayne's support for white supremacy and controversial statements on race |
| Year of name change | 1979 |
| Previous name | Orange County Airport |
| Year of statue installation | 1982 |
| Number of terminals | 2 |
| Number of runways | 2 |
| Number of enplanements in 2014 | 4,584,147 |
| Number of passengers in 2014 | Over 9 million |
| Largest airlines as of 2023 | Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alaska Airlines |
| Current status of name change | Unlikely |
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What You'll Learn
- John Wayne's support for white supremacy and other controversial statements
- The airport was originally named Orange County Airport
- The impact of John Wayne's statements on diverse communities
- John Wayne's positive contributions to Orange County
- The need for the airport's name to align with modern values
John Wayne's support for white supremacy and other controversial statements
John Wayne's comments about Black and queer people have been described as surprising and racist. In a 1971 interview with Playboy, he expressed his support for white supremacy, stating:
> "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. ... I don’t feel guilty about the fact that five or 10 generations ago these people were slaves."
Wayne also made controversial statements about Indigenous Americans, saying:
> "I don’t feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from them. … [O]ur 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 his comments in the Playboy interview, Wayne's behaviour at the 1973 Academy Awards ceremony has also been criticised. When Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American actress, made a statement on behalf of Marlon Brando about the harm and pain caused to the Native American community, Wayne attempted to assault her on stage.
In recent years, there have been growing calls to remove John Wayne's name and statue from the Orange County Airport due to his avowed white supremacist, anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, and homophobic beliefs. While some argue that Wayne is not celebrated at the airport for his views and that removing his name would be a form of censorship, others argue that his views are harmful and offensive to many people, particularly in a diverse region like Orange County.
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The airport was originally named Orange County Airport
The airport was renamed to honour the iconic Hollywood actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and died in 1979. A statue of "the Duke" was installed at the airport terminal in 1982.
In recent years, there have been calls to change the name back to Orange County Airport. This is due to comments Wayne made in a 1971 interview with Playboy, in which he expressed support for white supremacy and made controversial statements about Native Americans. In the interview, Wayne stated, "I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility" and "I don't feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from [the Indians]... The Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves."
Some people have defended keeping the name, arguing that Wayne should be judged on the totality of his actions and contributions to society, which include supporting U.S. troops and leading the movement to make Orange County home to Vietnamese refugees. However, others argue that continuing to idolise Wayne with statues and buildings in the airport conflicts with the county's diverse values and sends a message that racism and hate are ignored while those who spew it are commended.
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The impact of John Wayne's statements on diverse communities
John Wayne Airport, originally named Orange County Airport, was renamed in 1979 to honour actor John Wayne, who lived in neighbouring Newport Beach and died that year. However, in recent years, there have been calls to change the name of the airport due to the impact of John Wayne's statements on diverse communities.
In a 1971 Playboy interview, Wayne stated, "I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility". He also said that he did not "feel guilty about the fact that five or ten generations ago [black] people were slaves" and that Native Americans were "selfishly trying to keep [the country] for themselves". These comments have been interpreted as indirect support for white supremacy and have caused pain and anger among many people, especially those from diverse communities.
In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, activists and local Democrats demanded that the airport's name be changed back to Orange County Airport. They argued that idolising John Wayne, a known racist and homophobe, with statues and buildings in the airport, sends a message to diverse communities, especially people of colour, that racism and hate are being ignored while those who promote them are being commended. Additionally, they believe that the airport should honour individuals who align with modern values and promote inclusivity in public spaces.
On the other hand, some people, including Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner, oppose removing Wayne's name from the airport. Wagner argues that Wayne is different from Confederate leaders, whose statues were removed after Floyd's killing, because Wayne's views were not the reason for his commemoration. Instead, Wayne is celebrated for his “iconic Americana profile" and contributions to society, such as leading the movement to make Orange County home to Vietnamese refugees and supporting US troops.
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John Wayne's positive contributions to Orange County
John Wayne Airport (JWA) is a vital transportation hub in Southern California. It is the only commercial airport in Orange County, serving over 11.3 million passengers annually and reaching more than 40 nonstop destinations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. JWA has a significant economic impact on Orange County, contributing over $5.7 billion to the local economy in 2022. The airport creates local jobs, generates state and local tax revenue, and produces income and revenue for residents and businesses.
John Wayne Airport was originally named Orange County Airport. In 1979, the Orange County Board of Supervisors renamed the airport in honor of actor John Wayne, who lived in neighboring Newport Beach and passed away that year. A 9-foot bronze statue of "the Duke," created by sculptor Robert Summers, was installed at the airline terminal in 1982 and remains there today.
John Wayne was a famous actor known for his iconic roles in Western films. While he has been criticized for some of his views and comments, particularly regarding race, some Orange County residents and officials argue that he is not celebrated at the airport for those views. They believe that his positive contributions, such as his entertainment career and economic impact on the region, outweigh his negative comments.
Supervisor Don Wagner, for example, has opposed removing Wayne's name from the airport, noting his "iconic Americana profile." Wagner acknowledges that Wayne's views on race were wrong but argues that he still held that educational achievements were attainable by all, contrasting with Confederate leaders who believed in the inherent inferiority of minorities.
The debate over renaming the airport remains ongoing, with some calling for a change to the original name of Orange County Airport or simply Santa Ana Airport. Others argue that John Wayne's name should remain, recognizing his entertainment legacy and positive economic impact on the region while also acknowledging the need to address his controversial statements separately.
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The need for the airport's name to align with modern values
John Wayne Airport, located in Orange County, California, has been a subject of controversy due to its association with the late actor John Wayne, who held racist and homophobic views. In recent years, there have been growing calls to rename the airport to align with modern values of inclusivity and diversity.
Renaming the airport would be a step towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all travellers, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. It would send a message that Orange County values diversity, inclusion, and respect for all individuals. By aligning the airport's name with modern values, Orange County can demonstrate its commitment to equity and its rejection of racism, homophobia, and discrimination in all forms.
While some opponents of the name change argue that John Wayne is celebrated for his acting career and contributions to the community, others believe that his racist and homophobic views overshadow his achievements. They argue that honouring an individual with such controversial views sends a harmful message to the diverse community of Orange County. Additionally, keeping the name could be confusing for travellers, as airlines typically refer to the airport as Santa Ana or Orange County Airport.
In conclusion, the need for the airport's name to align with modern values reflects the societal shift towards inclusivity, diversity, and social justice. Renaming the airport would be a powerful symbol of Orange County's commitment to creating a welcoming and equitable environment for all its residents and visitors. While the decision may be complex and involve various factors, considering a name change that aligns with modern values can be a step towards fostering a more inclusive and harmonious community.
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Frequently asked questions
In a 1971 Playboy interview, John Wayne made comments that have been interpreted as supporting white supremacy and bigotry. As a result, activists and local Democrats have called for the airport's name to be changed to reflect more inclusive values.
In the interview, John Wayne stated, "I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility." He also said that he did not feel guilty about slavery and that he believed the US was right to take land from Native Americans.
The airport was originally established in 1923 as Orange County Airport and underwent several name changes before being renamed John Wayne Airport in 1979, following the actor's death.
Those in favour of changing the name argue that John Wayne's racist and homophobic views conflict with the county's values and that removing his name would promote inclusivity and diversity. Those opposed to changing the name argue that Wayne is not celebrated for his views and that a person should be judged on the totality of their actions and contributions to society.
