Black History is Also Loving v Virginia: Virginia may be “for lovers,” but in 1957 it was not for Loving

The racist laws that prohibited interracial marriage and the long history of the fight against them is best told by the almost fairytale love story of the Richard and Mildred Loving. Complex legal arguments are reduced into plain language - empowering the reader to understand how the fight to defend human rights continues today. Richard and Mildred did enjoy a fairytale romance - at first. As children, their families were close friends and the marriage and birth of their children were celebrated as bringing everyone together as one big happy family. But then, at 2am one night, the Sheriff stormed their home and arrested both of them in bed, charging them with felonies. Facing prison, they accepted exile from Virginia. When they began to dearly miss their families, and wanted their kids to know their grandparents, and go home again, they were forced to fight for their freedom, paving the way to keep other families safe, too. Contents: 1957 Virginia may be “for lovers” but not for Loving What are Racist Laws? Love Birds to Jail Birds 1958: Loving to Fight Exile from Virginia Precedents: the History of Challenging Interracial Marriage Laws 1967: Free Lovings Victory Happily Ever After…Eventually Interracial Marriage Rate Increased Same Sex Marriage The Loving Legacy Appendix: the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights