Monday, February 06, 2012

The Loving War: How Black History Is Both Black And White : The Picture Show : NPR

The Loving War: How Black History Is Both Black And White : The Picture Show : NPR: In 1958, a couple was awakened in the middle of the night and arrested — just for being married. That is, just for being an interracial marriage. The craziest part: Their last name was Loving.

Richard and Mildred Loving had gotten married five weeks earlier in Washington, D.C. But interracial marriage was still illegal in several states, including Virginia, where they lived.

After several days in jail, the Lovings were told that they must leave the state — and could not return together. They moved to Washington, D.C., and after several years away from home, decided to take their case to the ACLU.

Finally, in Loving vs. Virginia, 1967, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to prohibit mixed-race marriages.