The Lovings: When Love Became the Law

What does it take to change history? For Mildred and Richard Loving, it took love, quiet resilience, and an unwavering belief in their right to be together. In this special Valentine’s Day episode, we honor their remarkable journey—how a simple act of marriage led to a landmark Supreme Court decision that struck down interracial marriage bans across the United States.

But this isn’t just a story about legal battles. It’s a story of kindness, strength, and the challenges interracial couples still face today. Join me as we reflect on the Lovings’ legacy, how far we’ve come, and where we still have work to do.

Please note transcription accuracy may vary.

Sources:

• https://www.acslaw.org/expertforum/mildred-loving-endorses-marriage-equality-for-same-sex-couples/
• https://historicalsnaps.com/2018/01/20/the-loving-family/

Music by - Neffex - don't want to let myself down 
Neffex - A year go

Transcript

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I'm still not a political person, but I'm 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. Mildred loving. Hi, hi, hi. Hope you all doing okay Welcome back to another episode So, because Valentine's Day is coming up and I wanted to put something out to represent what that means. to people because ultimately it's not about the gifts or the flowers. Love the flowers. Also not saying no to gifts, but It's about love. It's just remembering to love those that you care for, who warm your heart. I'm going to bring you a story of love, resilience and the quiet power of standing up for what's right. It is about love in the purest form, I wanted to talk about a couple whose love was not only tested, but helped redefine the meaning of marriage and equality. So this is a story of Mildred. and Richard Loving. Side note, slash not real side note, oh my god that their surname is actually Loving. That alone sealed the deal for me because that's just the best surname. Richard and Mildred Loving were a couple whose fight for their love changed the legal landscape of the United States of America. we'll start in the 1950s in a small town called Central Point, Virginia. Mildred Jetta, a young woman of Native American descent, met Richard Loving, a white man. Their love story began like any other, quiet, unassuming, genuine, and deeply rooted in affection. But there was a problem. Of course there was. At the time, Virginia had laws that made their union illegal. So many things blow my mind. Back to Richard and Mildred. So at the time, Virginia had laws that made their union illegal. Despite this Mildred and Richard married in Washington, D. C. in 1958, where interracial marriage was legal. how the American legal system works. My understanding is The Supreme Court is the highest court in America. they put in certain laws The states can operate around those laws, how they feel fit, I think, the amount of podcasts I've done about America and involving different laws in different states. I should know this by now. point being in Washington, DC, interracial marriage was legal. So they went there to get married, but then they returned to Virginia. They were arrested in the middle of the night. Charged with violating Virginia's Racial Integrity Act. was a felony crime, which carried one to five years in jail they were placed in jail. Richard was allowed to post bail. and leave the following day. Mildred on the other hand Wasn't allowed that right just want to add she was pregnant, but no, she wasn't allowed to leave when Richard was allowed to leave. She was held for longer. They were charged with violating Virginia's Racial Integrity Act, the judge who proceeded over the case had the viewpoint that God created white, black and yellow and red and placed them on separate continents, basically implying that we're not supposed to mix, we're supposed to stay separate. That was his viewpoint, that, well, God placed us all in different parts, different areas, different continents around the world to keep us all from integrating. So they pled guilty to breaking a law when the ruling came, it did say that it can be suspended if they leave Virginia. and do not return together for 25 years. They agreed, because they wanted to be together. They loved each other. They were having a baby so they left and from there they would go to Washington DC and have three children and They'd live there for years but I guess it's that thing where you are so lucky to be with the person you love, you have children with this person that you love but then there's something missing. There's not for everyone, but there's that aching of the family that you miss, the friends that you miss, those people who for you are home. Understandably. they wanted to go back to Virginia. So by 1963, the civil right movement had started to gain momentum and Mildred, despite that quote that I read where she says, I'm not political. And I feel like sometimes even today, people wanting to stand up for certain things as having a political viewpoint. Maybe that's not what it is. Maybe actually it's just knowing what is right and what is wrong. And for Mildred, the movement inspired her. It created inspired action They could have chosen to stay quiet and accept their fate, but love has a way of pushing us to fight for what's right. she reached out to the Attorney General, Robert E. Kennedy, which led to the involvement of the ACLU, which stands for American Civil Liberties Union, a non profit organization. Their case would eventually reach the Supreme Court. In 1967, the court ruled unanimously in Lovings. I can't get over the fact that their surname is Lovings. Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote that the freedom to marry is a fundamental right, declaring Virginia's anti miscegenation laws unconstitutional. Their victory wasn't just a legal triumph. It was a declaration that love knows no boundaries. What I found most inspiring about their story is their quiet resistance. They weren't activists by nature. They didn't march in protest or give fiery speeches. They simply loved each other. And wanted to live in peace. But sometimes, the simplest acts of love can be the most revolutionary. Their case wasn't just about them. It was about all the couples who'd been denied the right to love freely. the Lovings didn't just change the law, they changed the lives of countless people who could finally marry without fear of prosecution The Loving Decision had a ripple effect, contributing to the broader civil rights movement and paving the way for other landmark cases, including those supporting same sex marriage. Their story remains a symbol of hope and progress, a reminder that love can be a powerful force for change, but even beyond the loving impact, their story. resonated with me on a personal level. Interracial couples today can look back and thank the lovings for their bravery. Their legacy is a testament to the idea that love in its purest form is worth fighting for. The judgment also highlighted the strength found in standing together, knowing that love can overcome the ignorance of others. As someone in an interracial relationship, I can say that whilst love brings joy, it can bring judgment from disapproving looks to hurtful assumptions. This isn't just to people who are different races. It's actually also people who are the same race, or your friends. I asked a few of my friends whether, do you honestly think that I'm less of a black woman because I'm with someone who is a different race? And a few of them said, yeah, we do. We don't see you as being Equal to us because if you're equal and if you're fighting for our rights, our voices to be heard, then you're giving confusing messages because you're with someone who's not the same color. So how can you be supporting that? I see it around people of mixed heritage, that they're not really seen as, you're not really black, you're not really white, stop, all of you stop. The judgy, judgy, and to those who think that people like me aren't really black because we date members of another race, And actually, quite frankly, we're no longer listening. Our love, our identities, and our families are valid. At the same time, media representation of interracial relationships has grown, with films, TV shows, and public figures, helping to foster understanding and acceptance. The Lovings story continues to inspire, serving as a reminder that love can pave the way for social progress. as we reflect on Valentine's Day, the story of Mildred and Richard Loving, at its core, it's an act of kindness. It's about standing by someone, even when the world tells you it's impossible or it's wrong. So Whether you're celebrating love with a partner, family, or friends, let's honor the lovings by remembering that love is meant to unite us, not divide us. Before we go, let's reflect briefly on how Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world. In Japan, women give chocolates to men with a follow up tradition on White Day when men return the favour. Love that. In Italy, couples leave locks on bridges as symbols of their. Eternal love. These traditions remind us that love is a universal language, one that unites us across borders. So until next time, be kind to others, but most importantly, be kind to yourself Thank you for listening to another episode Thank you. Bye bye bye bye!