This a lot worse than John Wayne's Playboy interview where he made very politically incorrect comments about Indians and the Civil Rights movement. Wayne didn't use any racial slurs and wasn't facing accusations of beating up a woman (which hasn't been proven). Hey, on the plus side he didn't say anything bad about Jews this time (at least not on tape). I guess we won't be seeing that Viking movie anytime soon.
I agree, John Wayne's opinions on Native Americans were just not very well thought out or eloquently stated, although there was a tinge of racism. His statements, while widely disapproved, are in a technical manner open to legitimate interpretation.
But his statements about the Civil Rights movement were not just politically incorrect. They were outright bigotry, almost by definition. He said that blacks were, collectively, less intelligent than white people, and he supported white supremacy. He ignored the fact that it was precisely because of systematic racism that black people had a harder time getting a quality education. To say that they should just get an education, as if it were easy for them to go to whatever school they wanted makes me wonder what world John Wayne was living in if he didn't know about school segregation. And to say that black people needed to get an education before they can be deemed responsible enough to have an equal voice in society and government is ridiculous and downright racist. He was looking at an entire group of people, based on his perceptions of a few, and judging them as not fit to be acknowledged on an equal playing field with the rest of society.
Mel Gibson used a single racial slur in an emotional, (probably drug or alcohol-fueled) tirade. If you listen to the tape, much of what he's saying is incoherent and doesn't make sense except in the context that he was trying to hurt the person he was talking to with a verbal assault. He was using the harshest words possible for maximum effect. That doesn't necessarily reflect any innate feelings about African Americans or women. For the record, I do think he has some racist and chauvinist bones in his body. But in this particular instance, I'm defending what he said as just stupid and spewed in an emotionally tough time for him.
The accusations of physical abuse, while still only allegations, are probably grounded in truth. But I was referring only to his remarks, as heard in the phone call, and a few years ago in a police report. I'm not referencing his alleged actions, just his words.
Reply to Topic
Also, he's been batty for years (and I'm talking decades years, not just the last 5-10) possibly triggered by his alcoholism?
