Black History is Also Loving v Virginia

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