John Wayne's interview:
Wayne was also asked about educator/activist Angela Davis and discrimination. He responded, ?With a lot of blacks, there?s quite a bit of resentment along with their dissent, and possibly rightfully so. But 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. I don?t believe in giving authority and positions of leadership and judgment to irresponsible people.?
Lewis then shot back at Wayne, asking if the actor was equipped to judge ?which blacks are irresponsible and which of their leaders inexperienced.? Wayne responded, ?It?s not judgment. The academic community has developed certain tests that determine whether the blacks are sufficiently equipped scholastically. But some blacks have tried to force the issue and enter college when they haven?t passed the tests and don?t have the requisite background.?
?I don?t know why people insist that blacks have been forbidden their right to go to school,? continued Wayne. ?They were allowed in public schools wherever I?ve been. Even if they don?t have the proper credentials for college, there are courses to help them become eligible. But if they aren?t academically ready for the step, I don?t think they should be allowed in. Otherwise, the academic society is brought down to the lowest common denominator.
?? There has to be a standard. I don?t feel guilty about the fact that five or 10 generations ago these people were slaves. Now, I?m not condoning slavery. It?s just a fact of life, like the kid who gets infantile paralysis and has to wear braces so he can?t play football with the rest of us. I will say this, though: I think any black who can compete with a white today can get a better break than a white man. I wish they?d tell me where in the world they have it better than right here in America.?
Wayne also spoke harshly about Native Americans when asked if he felt any empathy for them, considering they played an essential role in his films.
?I don?t feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from them if that?s what you?re asking,? said Wayne. "Our so-called stealing of this country from them was just a matter of survival. They were great numbers of people who needed new land, and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves? Look, I?m sure there have been inequalities. If those inequalities are presently affecting any of the Indians now alive, they have a right to a court hearing. But what happened 100 years ago in our country can?t be blamed on us today.?
When John Wayne's comments on Native Americans caused a controversy, he responded:
?I can?t imagine any Indian,? Wayne said in his defense, ?not realizing that over the past forty years I?ve done more to give them human dignity and a fine image on the screen than anyone else who has ever worked in pictures.? ?Indians were part of our history,? he elaborated, ?I have never shown the Indians on the screen as anything but courageous and with great human dignity.?
To substantiate his point, Wayne used some of his Westerns as examples: ?My Indian in Hondo? was a great guy, my Indian in Fort Apache? was a great guy. I assume the Indians know that I have a great deal of respect for them.?
