CELEBRATING INTERRACIAL RELATIONSHIPS ON LOVING DAY
On June 12, the country will be celebrating a little known holiday
popularly referred to as the “Loving Day” on June 12th.
Now, if this is your first time hearing about Loving Day… shame on you! Especially if you’re an interracial dater or been in any form of interracial relationship. You wouldn’t have had this opportunity if it weren’t for Mildred and Richard Loving! While some families have found no fault with interracial dating, others think it’s a taboo that shouldn’t even be considered.
WHAT’S THE HISTORY
It’s crucial to learn the history that paved the way for people to enjoy interracial love and the freedom to interracial marriage.
This white man/black woman couple was arrested on the charge of breaking Virginia’s 1924 Racial Integrity Act shortly after they returned back home to the state of Virginia from Washington D.C. where they had a secret wedding. The lovebirds had to plea bargain in order to prevent imprisonment. This led to them being banished from their adored state of Virginia – the place where they’d both spent their whole life.
They lived in exile, separated from their family, friends and loved ones, for years before making the decision to finally stand up for their rights. Holding to the fact that Virginia’s law was unconstitutional, the lovebirds took their case to the United States Supreme Court. And fortunately, on June 12, 1967, the ban placed on interracial marriage was lifted not just in Virginia, but all over the country.
This life-changing Supreme Court decision changed America. Every change in the world requires a catalyst and the lovebirds were brave enough to ignite the spark that lit a fire in courtrooms and lifted the law that refrained interracial lovers from being with each other.
As a way to honor the two and their determination, most people have called for the creation of an official U.S. government-recognized holiday known as the “Loving Day” which will be annually celebrated on June 12th.
We aren’t the only ones who think it’s really important to recognize Loving Day though. In fact, there’s an organization known as LovingDay.org that focuses on celebrating the beauty of interracial marriage and, especially, trying to skyrocket the need to make Loving Day a national-level event.
Annually, they sponsor Loving Day celebrations all over the country to celebrate the courageous journey of Mildred and Richard Loving and the diversity of interracial dating, which was made possible by the Lovings and their fight. You can support their cause of building multicultural communities by gracing them with an attendance at one of the Loving Day events in major cities like Washington D.C or New York.
Even if you’re not able to attend an event on June 12th we do strongly suggest doing something special with your mate to show your appreciation for the Lovings that day because if you got married interracially or if you’re still dating, it simply wouldn’t have been possible without these incredible trailblazers. Make sure you take the time to thank them by honoring their legacy.