Center I noticed a huge pile of playboy magazines dating back to the late 60’s in disposal bin on the top was one with a interview of John Wayne from May 1971. I nonchalantly retrieved it and read the article and was taken back by his response to his thoughts of black people, native Americans and the movie Midnight Cowboy.
“ I believe in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility. I don't believe giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people ... I don't feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from the Native Americans ... 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”.
After words “ like the next paragraph “ in the article he made it clear that he was talking about making sure that aspiring black politicians had the necessary education and experience for public office before they were appointed, just like any white politician. That way, you’d not have some profane, abusive, and utterly embarrassing public figure entering office.
Considering he was born in 1907 I believe he was speaking in the manner that the majority of his conservative generation spoke. It raises eyebrows today, but that’s because times change. And they will continue to change but if your going to use a 2023 lens to judge and discredit a Hollywood legend for statements he made in 1971 when he was 60 something, you may as well judge George Washington for the more egregious crime of owning slaves. I have to give John Wayne a pass on his comments by . But it really isn't fair to judge him by modern views. By modern standards the vast majority of white folks prior to 1970 is either indifferent or racist to some extent.
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