As statues of Confederate generals and other historically problematic figures are coming down in many cities, other cities are debating whether to rename their airports.
The calls for change have come with a wave of protests nationwide of how police treat African-Americans and the lingering effects of slavery and institutional racism on Black people. Though statues have become the most visible target, some airports also find themselves a flashpoint.
Some airports, like the one in Birmingham, Alabama, have been renamed for civil rights heroes. Others remain named for prominent people of another era, but whose views or attitudes may come off now as offensive or out-of-date.
Orange County, California, named its airport for screen legend John Wayne after the actor’s death in 1979. At the time, the county was more white and conservative than it is today.
Now, the county is more diverse, and the Orange County Democratic Party wants the airport’s name changed. They cite comments Wayne made to Playboy Magazine in 1971 disparaging Blacks, Native Americans and gay people.
They want the county board of supervisors to remove his name and statue from the airport and restore its original name: Orange County Airport.
For the full story, visit USAToday.com/Travel.
