John Wayne Day Resolution Rejected Over Actor’s Racist Comments

Lawmakers shoot down a proposal by a 35-20 vote

John Wayne
RKO Radio Pictures

Sorry, pilgrims of California; no John Wayne Day for you.

A resolution that would have honored the late actor was rejected Thursday by California lawmakers, after critics complained about racist comments made by Wayne, the Associated Press reports.

The resolution was introduced by Republican state assemblyman Matthew Harper of Huntington Beach, who wanted to honor the actor by declaring John Wayne Day on May 26, the day of the actor’s birth.

Unfortunately for Harper, the resolution was shot down in a 35-20 vote following a 20-minute debate.

Among the critics: Democratic assemblyman Luis Alejo of Watsonville, who called out the actor’s thoughts on race.

Notably, Wayne told Playboy in 1971 that he didn’t want to relinquish white supremacy “until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility.”

“We can’t all of a sudden get down on our knees and turn everything over to the leadership of the blacks,” Wayne said in an interview. “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.”

Harper blamed “the orthodoxy of political correctness” for the bill’s defeat. Others would probably call it true grit.

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