Just over 50- years ago, 54
to be exact, interracial/multi-cultural (IR/MC) marriages were against the law,
and could get you jail time in many states here in the great melting pot. IR/MC
marriages existed, but the two lovers often had to lie about or hide some
aspects of their union.
When reformist and statesman
Frederick Douglass married suffragist Helen Pitts in 1884, after fathering five
children with his first wife, Anna Murray, his marriage to Pitts was constantly
ridiculed by both Blacks and Whites. Actress/singer Pearl Bailey and her
husband, jazz drummer/composer/band leader Louie Bellson often had to say he
was of Haitian descent when they performed in southern states. The stories go
on and on until one couple managed to overturn archaic laws forbidding
marriages between people of different color.
In 1958, Richard Loving and
Mildred Jeter travelled to Washington, D.C. to be married. Five weeks after
their wedding, they were awakened at 2 a.m. and arrested for being married to
one another. Nine years later, after a number of hearings and setbacks, the
Supreme Court ruled in their favor, overturning laws in all 50 states
prohibiting interracial/multicultural marriages. June 12, 1967 is known as
“Loving Day.” Thanks to the Lovings and
their predecessors, we have a greater opportunity to choose the person we want
to share our lives with based on love and common interests instead of skin
color. So tell me about your experiences. Do you think legalizing IR/MC
marriages has helped change people’s attitudes or interests?
Comments
It would be nice if one day we all learned how to not judge one another!
Thanks for sharing! Have a great day!