California shoots down 'John Wayne Day,' citing actor's history of racist remarks

A resolution to make an official "John Wayne Day" in California has imploded as the state assembly defeated the movement on Thursday, citing the movie star's history of racist remarks and his support for the anti-communist House of Un-American Activities Committee, The Associated Press reports. Republican State Assemblyman Matthew Harper had sought to make May 26 John Wayne Day, saying later in a statement that, "Opposing the John Wayne Day resolution is like opposing apple pie, fireworks, baseball, the Free Enterprise system, and the Fourth of July!"

Others don't agree, citing comments such as those Wayne made to Playboy in 1971 when he said, "I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility." The Searchers and Green Berets actor also once asserted that American Indians were "selfishly trying to keep [America] for themselves."

"He had disturbing views towards race," Assemblyman Luis Alejo protested.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Others pushed back and defended Harper's view, pointing out that California's major airport also shares a name with the movie star. Another Republican assemblyman, Donald Wagner, noted that President Franklin Roosevelt is honored across the country despite his putting Japanese-Americans in internment camps during World War II. "Every one of us is imperfect," Wagner said.

The resolution failed on a 35-20 vote.