Loving Day
Thursday, June 12th, 2008
Loving Day is June 12, a day that celebrates interracial marriages. It is named after Mildred Loving, whose marriage to Richard Loving in 1958 caused them to be banned in Virginia as man and wife for 25 years! Their case went to the Supreme Court. After nine years of legal bullshit, the Court found unanimously in their favor. This was in 1967. In 1975, Richard passed away when a drunk driver hit their car. His wife, Mildred Loving, recently passed away.
She issed a statement last year supporting same sex marriage. “I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about.”
Interracial and multiracial unions definitely are something to celebrate and to support! There is a girl I know who did not want to have a child with someone of a different race than her because she wanted her children to look like her. I found that interesting on many levels, but one being that when she eventually did get married she married a man who was Korean and she is Taiwanese which is not the same race! I think there are still many people who are under the misconception that racism and the stigma against interracial couples are a thing of the past.
Photo courtesy NPR archives.
