”MLK Jr. is Not Who You Think He is”: We Didn’t Know These Historical Figures Were Incredibly Problematic Until Now

The Duke, as he was affectionately known, was a Hollywood icon and a symbol of American masculinity. However, it turns out he almost got into a brawl with a Native American actress at the Academy Awards. This a sobering reminder that fame and fortune don’t necessarily equal good behavior.

You’re supposed to be the epitome of cool and collected. It’s disappointing to learn that someone who embodied the American spirit in so many ways also had some un-American tendencies. All heroes can have major flaws. And in John Wayne’s case, those flaws were pretty ugly and not at all heroic.