Mildred Loving (1939-2008), along with her husband, Richard, changed the United States miscegenation laws by taking the state of Virginia to court and the Supreme Court ruling that anti-miscegenation laws are unconstitutional.
Loving died recently, and her daughter Peggy Fortune wants people to remember her as being strong, brave, humble and someone who believed in love. She was 68.
Born Mildred Jeter on June 22, 1939, in Caroline County, Va., she and Richard grew up on the same road in Central Point, described by writers as “the type of community where black and white families were friendly with each other.”
It was here that a skinny 11-year-old girl nicknamed “Bean” met a 17-year-old boy who was a family friend, according to Virginia Hasn’t Always Been for Lovers, the 2004 book that details the Lovings’ case against Virginia. The two began courting and when Mildred was 18, she became pregnant. The couple decided to marry and drove over 80 miles to Washington, D.C., in order to do so in June 1958.
Mildred has stated that she did not know it was illegal when they got, but she believed her husband did. “I think he thought (if) we were married, they couldn’t bother us,” she said. The two lived north of Richmond, where interracial marriage was banned by the Racial Integrity Act of 1924.
The couple returned to Virginia and early on the morning of July 15, 1958, they awoke in their bed with three flashlights shining in their eyes. It was the Caroline County sheriff and two deputies who had entered their home through an unlocked door at 2 a.m. After receiving an anonymous tip, the sheriff informed them that their marriage license was “no good here,” and he and his deputies charged the couple with violating Virginia’s law prohibiting interracial marriage.
The sheriff, Garnett Brooks, recalled bursting into the Lovings’ home and hauling them off to face the law after being told by the commonwealth’s attorney to “go and check on them and if they are (married), arrest them.” He insists the case wasn’t about race, but about illegal cohabitation. “I told him I’d be glad to do it,” he added.
On Jan. 6, 1959, the Lovings pleaded guilty and were sentenced to one year in prison, with the sentence suspended for 25 years on condition that the couple leave the state of Virginia; they moved to Washington, D.C. On Nov. 6, 1963, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a motion on their behalf which set in motion a series of lawsuits which eventually reached the Supreme Court. The ACLU felt that the violated statutes ran counter to the Fourteenth Amendment.
In a unanimous decision, June 12, 1967, the Supreme Court overturned the convictions and dismissed the Commonwealth of Virginia’s argument that a law forbidding both blacks and whites from marrying another race and providing identical penalties for both races could not be construed as racially discriminatory. Ruling that Virginia’s anti-miscegenation statute violated both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, the court wrote:
“Marriage is one of the “basic civil rights of man,” fundamental to our very existence and survival…. To deny this fundamental freedom on so unsupportable a basis as the racial classifications embodied in these statutes, classifications so directly subversive of the principle of equality at the heart of the Fourteenth Amendment, is surely to deprive all the State’s citizens of liberty without due process of law. The Fourteenth Amendment requires that the freedom of choice to marry not be restricted by invidious racial discrimination. Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual and cannot be infringed by the State.”
After the Supreme Court’s decision, the Lovings returned to Virginia with their three children. In 1975, a drunken driver struck the car they were driving: Richard was killed and Mildred lost her right eye.
Over the years, Mildred granted few interviews, which forced others to tell her story through books, articles and a Showtime film, Mr. and Mrs. Loving, starring Lela Rochon and Timothy Hutton. “Not much of it was very true,” said Loving. “The only part of it right was I had three children.”
Each June 12, Loving Day, commemorates the anniversary of the Loving decision every year on or around June 12th. Last year, Mildred issued a public statement for the 40th anniversary, which concluded:
“Surrounded as I am now by wonderful children and grandchildren, not a day goes by that I don’t think of Richard and our love, our right to marry, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the “wrong kind of person” for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people’s religious beliefs over others. Especially if it denies people’s civil rights.
I am still not a political person, but 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.”
Until her death, Loving spent time enjoying her family, her two dogs and the rich countryside she fought so fiercely to call home again. In an article regarding the 40th anniversary of the landmark case, she wished her husband was there to enjoy it with her: “He used to take care of me,” she said. “He was my support, he was my rock.”
The Lovings’ son, Donald, died in 2000. In addition to daughter, Peggy, and son, Sidney, Mildred Loving is survived by eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
|
Concrete Loop features ‘Black History Spotlights’ each week honoring black people who have played pivotal roles in history and submissions are welcome.
|
It was here that a skinny 11-year-old girl nicknamed “Bean” met a 17-year-old boy who was a family friend,
#55 good point !
i was like 11 !!!! what ???
really nice story
thnx ConcreteLoop!
What an inspirational story I enjoyed it very much. They where truly a brave couple dispite the odds etc. they fought for their love. It is very rear to hear a story like her’s but it makes u appreciate freedom a little bit more…
I never heard of this story nor have I seen the movie. After reading this post, I am motivated to do my own research about this couple. Great post
Great write up way to start my day!!!
The first case of this was the Pace v. Alabama which was set as the precedent for this particular case. This one seems to have more conditions, because the couple involved in the forementioned landmark case were a singular couple, without children or any shared assets..
Very Interesting J.Dakar…Kudos once again brother..
peace.love.happiness
This is what you call real ride or die love. Not doing a bid or holding his drugs..
That is why I will not be ashamed to love white men so openly and honestly! I love me some good white man and I can’t wait to marry my boo. Mrs. Loving, I admire you so much!!!!
#66: I wanted to mention that case because it illustrates just how much interracial couples were looked down upon: interracial extramarital sex was considered a felony, while extramarital sex was only a misdemeanor. Shows you just how backward Alabama can be…but it is the place I call home (for now, at least…)
Romantic, Beautiful, Sweet?!?!
I think it’s kind sick for a 17 year old to be attracted to an 11 year old.
I just read about them earlier this year
Their las name was totally appropriate. LOVING. At the end of the day, that’s what life is all about.
this is very interesting.. this is my first time posting a comment here.. keep up the good work guys!
i love her..she woulda been a good spokeswoman on the issue of gay marriage…she had it right…she had to experience it for herself to know that everyone should have the same rights….hell..maybe straight people that are married now should be told they cant be married before they get it as well…
@ Brown Hornet,
“The two began courting and when Mildred was 18, she became pregnant.”
Wow that was great. It made me want to cry.
That was a beautiful story.
I loved that film Mr and Mrs. Loving. I haven’t seen it in a while. So sorry to hear about her passing. RIP!
Even though i’ve never dated outside my race. This is a beautiful story about what life really is about and that’s love. Like someone said earlier, i do wish that we saw more positive black love in our communities. Thanks J. Dakar for the positive black history posts, very educational.
No disrespect but I have a question. While I support the right of people to date as they please, how is this so crucial to Black History?
It’s 2008, and Black men are still getting shot in NYC and beat down in Philly yet we celebrate this piss poor case of validation seeking as critical to Black History? The funny part is that the black family structure was actually in tact during the anti-miscegenation era, which is more than I can say for today. What is wrong with black people? Pure ridiculous.
#80: Angel and I discussed whether to include Mrs. Loving as a BHS. Ultimately (and apparently), we agreed that she did deserve one, as she and her husband changed the laws so everyone is now able to marry whomever they choose, regardless of race.
KRS-One said it best: “Black history is the history of the oppressed against oppression. Black history is everyone’s history!”
Peace and blessings,
J. Dakar
Thank You Elisa and J, Dakar for such a moving and interesting spotlight.
I never knew about this couple until I saw the movie. And after reading this,I want to see it again;since Mrs. Loving said that the only part that was true was about the children.**(“Not much of it was very true,” said Loving. “The only part of it right was I had three children.”)
The movie was good,despite being (loosely based on the actual events of their life). I love Lela Rochon ,she’s a beautiful woman.
Thanks,J. Dakar
It’s amazing to me that there are still many of us Blacks saying we’re against interracial mixing when in fact WE ARE a product of race mixing due to slavery alone. That’s why we are not PURE Africans! Wow, I thought we already knew this. LOL
Congratulations on Mrs. Loving finding her true love and soulmate before passing away. 68 is young, that’s really sad. May she rest in peace.
This is someone to be proud of??????? We STILL just love us some massah. Those that love him/her will burn with them. Real talk.
@ Brown Hornet, they met when she was 11. I hope that was the case, but then again who are we talking about here…R/S/L. I don’t know why they put that part in the story. Maybe he was checking her out, I wouldn’t put it past him.
@9 you sound so stupid its funny. thank you cl
for this. when people learn love has no color racism will die
I think the main reason why a lot of blacks are against interracial relationships, and multiracial people, is because blacks were told for a long time that they were not beautiful and not even human.
So, it obviously still stings, when they see a black person with a person of another race. It took many of us a long time to accept ourselves and our value. So, to some, “race mixing” is just a further attempt at making the black race obsolete.
Some of you ask, well the black race is already diluted, so what’s the difference? That may, very well, be the case, but, again, for some, there’s a difference between having a white great, great grandmother than having a white mother. The white great, great grandmother has had no direct influence, possibly, on you and/or your understanding of your black culture.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I, personally, believe that love is love, date/marry who you want to, but even with that, I do understand those who don’t feel the same way. I mean, there is a reason behind every stereotype or belief, in the history of mankind. So, it’s good to have these types of discussions to see where, an how, it all began.
@ask
I saw that I can read, so they started courting when she became pregnant? Or do you expect me to believe that he held off until she was of legal age and then she became pregnant.
Only Negroes would think that it’s cute and romantic that a 17 year old white male is smitten by a 11 year old black girl. I doubt white folks would see the romance in a 17 year old black male and a 11 year old white girl.
Lovely article…
I had never even heard of this incredible woman…
It just makes me mad, cause they should be teaching us these historical figures in school rather than Christopher Columbus and his great “discovery”.
CL major propz
I knew this case, but i didn’t know that Mrs.Loving lost her right eye and husband in a car accident in 1975. They were truly groundbreaking, and I hope we can fulfill her wish of wanting EVERYONE to have the right to marry…….
Wow, very interesting…..
i don’t understand why people get upset when people date outside their race. When really we all are apart one race which is the human race. Once we stop putting s much emphasis on complexion the better we all will live. people like #9 make me sick.
Wow! That was dope. I never knew this. Thanks for the knowledge and the remembrance of our culture.
Please correct the article to indicate that she was 17 when they married. Some people here seem to think she was 11 which was the age they met.
I saw that film a few years ago, I knew it was based on a true story. It was very sad what Mildred and Richard had to go through.
Like a few people have said here, not all white people are racist, me included. Mildred loved Richard, so why shouldn’t she have married him?
I know a lot of black people are racist towards white people for what happened years ago, I don’t blame them, but we are all human. Colour is not important (no spelling mistake, thats how we spell colour in ireland!)
wwOW THATS WAS SWEET .THANKS CL I LEARN SOME GOOD INTERESTING HITORY 2DAY.KEEP IT U[
Loving v. Virginia is one one of the most famous Constitutional Law cases of all time – it it is in EVERY Constitutional Law textbook, so virtually every law student reads this case. Thus, Mrs. Loving’s legacy, as well as her and Mr. Loving’s testament to unconditional love will continue to live on! This case had a profound impact on me, so it’s nice to finally be able to put a face to a name. Thanks, CL, for another amazing post!
Amazing post! I believe that any couple in love should be able to legally spend their lives together.
ANY COUPLE!
My father wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for interracial relationships.
This is a beautiful story.
Couple things about this age business: No. 1, it was a different time. No. 2, since condoms weren’t widely used and we can pretty much bet that she wasn’t on birth control in the 1950s, I’m going to go ahead and say if they had been having sex since she was 11, she would have been pregnant before 18.
Stop trippin’. It’s not cute.
Referring to a man who clearly loved his wife and was loved in return as “Massa” and “YT” is disrespectful (at the minimum) to their commitment. Please read: “not a day goes by that I don’t think of Richard and our love.”
To all the naysayers I ask: Where is the love of your life? Not that dude/chick you sleep with (and cheat on) but the one you want to raise (not just make) children with? Where is that person who celebrates (not just tolerates) you and all your flaws? Where is the person you want to grow old with (unless one of you dies, 37 doesn’t count) and wants to grow old with you? Where is that person who puts you and your well being first in their life? See, if you were minding your own heart and putting out positive energy instead of hating on dead people (who actually found that aforementioned love) that love could find you. Seriously.
Newsflash: most African Americans are “diluted” with Native American, white and other races. That doesn’t stop the entire world from mimicking what they THINK is the African American culture via hip hop. In the same breath we say the misogyny and materialism rampant in hip hop culture doesn’t define us, we jump all over a white boy or girl who dares try to “be black” and rap or sing a soul standard.
I don’t know why people get mad at people for dating outside of their race anyway.
If a black man is into white/Asian/Latino girls, why should I care? Clearly, as a black woman, I’m not his type. And (in my experience) there has never been a shortage of men interested in dating me.
People caught up in color get on my nerves.My boyfriend is still self-conscious about the blond and red hairs in his beard because his whole life women have been dreaming about the babies with “good hair” they could have together, while men have been questioning his authenticity as a black man. They never stop to think that even if he was biracial( he’s not. his parents are just very light complexioned people) that the world still views him as black and it’s just counterproductive, annoying and stupid to be in his face about something he can’t change.
Of course, you are entitled to your opinion. I’m entitled to think it’s silly.
This was a nice story. I am Mexican-American and married a black man. The only opposition we got was from his aunt. I was so sad that she didn’t accept me. She was totally against interracial couples. I thought to myself, what if I was against dating outside of my race? I would have never met the wonderful man that is my husband. I agree with what J said that “Black history is everyone’s history”. I attended an HBCU and it wasn’t until I attended that college that I grew to love my own ethnicity. I was overwhelmed by the passion that black people have for each other. More than that, everyone accepted me for me…and that’s when I began to accept myself too. Thanks.
@ TBEENITSINCE87
thanks! I just like hearing peoples views on topics such as this
i agree w/ #33
@ #100:
I could not agree more or said it better myself. I am from Mississippi. My grandmother who was Puerto Rican got married @ 16 to my African American grandfather. A year later she was pregnant with her first child. Guess what??? My grandfather at the time was, get this,….22 years old!!!! My grandmother’s family disowned her when she left Florida to move to Mississippi with my grandfather. My grandmother told me that her mother said….”Why a black man? With a white man, at least you don’t have to worry about having a hard life or having to use a straightening comb on your babies!” WTF????
My grandmother followed her heart and never regretted it one day in her life.
Whether you agree with it or not, they they struggled for us to have a choice. A choice for us to be free to choose who we want to marry. Many of us may not exercise our choice to marry someone else of another race, but at least they stood up and made sure that is wasn’t another thing the laws can dictate how we live our lives.
Part of freedom is choice and the ability to choose. The age difference is a MINOR concern, when you think of the impact it has had for millions and millions of people.
I think this is a beautiful story. It’s just sad how many people still say “I could never date outside my race”, how about you go through life without thinking about race so much and just let love happen? I don’t think dating outside your race means you don’t love yourself or have pride in your heritage.
And someone on the first page said black men get praised when they date outside their race..I know alot of black women dating outside their race get hated on more than the black men do but they don’t exactly get praised. All you have to do is look through the comments on here on posts about black actors with white women to see all the hate they recieve and that’s not half of what they get in the real world.
I feel very uncomfortable with the whole black-white thing. It just doesn’t sit right with me. Our beautiful black heritage and blood line is being diluted wherever we look in the western world. To me, this is no different to all the black guys who chase white girls. This was just a white guy who chased a black girl and got her. It is sensationalised because it has been presented as a beautiful struggle. Whose life is ever easy?
i’m not impressed. Show me a black love story any day over this. This is not black history but a dilution of black history.
This is a beautiful story!
@ the people who r saying that the age difference was too large, remember that they MET when she was 11years old and he was 17 years old-there is no evidence to suggest that anything sexual occured until she got pregnant at 18 years. And, as somebody earlier rightly stated, if they were having sex before then she probably would have got pregnant earlier than when she was 18 because people back then didnt have the same access to birth control as we do now. Stop trying to ‘dirty’ what was a very beautiful thing.
This is a beautiful story. Thank you for posting. BTW, you all are doing a great job with the site.
Hi there, I found your blog via Google even as searching for a comparable topic, your web site came up, it seems great. I have added to my favourites|added to my bookmarks.