In Order to be successful in Hollywood, a person or a group needs to assimilate as much as possible into American culture. At least this was the idea that Early Hollywood portrayed in their movies and actors. The idea of Whiteness was imbedded in people’s mind to become accepted. Actors in specific would develop characteristics to become more accepted into the Caucasian community. The pattern of American films was that the whites had all the leading roles and were the majority and anyone of a different color was more like a token character. The term white patriarchal capitalism was the set for others to understand and accept. White patriarchal capitalism is the idea that race and ethnicity are constructed and circulated in ways that tend to keep white privilege and power in place ( America on Film, pg. 51). Along with acceptance followed efforts to become white to move forward and up. One act to begin the assimilation process was to change their name.

Names were altered or changed in movies and in actual birth names. This was seen in actors and in movies. Big movie stars such as John Wayne did this to sound more American. For example, John Wayne’s real name is Marion Robert Morrison (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wayne). The fact that he was the face of Early Western movies was a reason why he wanted to have more of an American name. I feel that the studio wanted him to be as American as possible and live the role he acted in Hollywood. Actors do this so they can have more exposure as an actor. There was the idea to change your name to get more of a lead role. I can see most directors going through a casting call list and looking over certain names that do not sound like an American name especially if it is a role that is an American characteristic, even if the person with a more Ethnic sounding name looks white and is American. Movies were not the only group guilty of this trend; musicians often changed their names to be accepted.

The movie “La Bamba” show types of assimilation that a Chicano had to face to be accepted. Ricardo Valenzuela was a famous singer in the early 50’s. He was discovered in Los Angeles by a White American, who later became his manager. When it was time for his name to be exposed on the market, his manager forced him to change his name so he could have a better connection with white Americans that listen to rock and roll. Ricardo Valenzuela changed his name to Richie Valens to sound more American. I understand many reasons why he would want to do this such as to separate him from politics, racism, and stereo types, but he should have stood proud. It could have made a bigger and more immediate impact in the Chicano movement. ‘

Hollywood today is not so dramatic as it was then but “whiteness” is still visible with the “good” being white, and the “other” being people of different race.