Written by Dr. Shawna Gann

"Home is where the heart is," they say, and throughout my husband's 26-year career in the Air Force, we had the privilege of calling many places home. Most of these homes were located outside of the United States, which meant many journeys back and forth. It was during one of these transoceanic flights that I stumbled upon the 2016 film Loving as an option for in-flight entertainment. As someone deeply interested in interracial marriage and racial ambiguity it immediately captured my attention. How had I never known about the Loving family? How had I not yet discovered the profound impact their story would have on my own lived experiences? Intrigued, I immersed myself in the film, eager to learn more.

Residing in the DC Metro area, I am surrounded by a plethora of historical landmarks, often prompting contemplation of the events that have shaped our society. However, this year for  Loving Day, as my husband and I celebrate our silver anniversary, I find myself taking extra time to reflect on the immense and personal significance it holds for my family and me. I cannot help but consider how different things might be if the outcome of the Supreme Court case bearing its name had been unfavorable. This reflection carries even greater weight as I witness rights being challenged and eroded across the United States, heightening the profound significance of Loving Day.

The Impact of Anti-Miscegenation Laws and Principles of White Supremacy

 

In 1958, Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving left their Caroline County, Virginia home for Washington DC, where they exchanged their marriage vows. Unfortunately, their union violated Virginia's Racial Integrity Act of 1924, a law that vigorously enforced racial purity and prohibited interracial marriages. This act rigidly categorized individuals as either "white" or "colored," the latter encompassing individuals of African American descent or any other non-white racial background. It explicitly forbade marriages between "white" and "colored" individuals, employing the infamous "one-drop rule" or "hypodescent." According to this rule, even a trace of African American ancestry, no matter how distant, classified a person as "colored." This system perpetuated racial segregation by categorizing individuals based on their heritage, regardless of the proportion of African American ancestry they possessed.

Violating these anti-miscegenation laws was deemed a criminal offense in Virginia. Interracial couples who married or engaged in intimate relationships faced severe legal consequences, including hefty fines, imprisonment, and even forced sterilization. Attempting to circumvent the law by getting married outside of the commonwealth, as the Lovings did, also constituted an offense. In fact, a few weeks after their return to Virginia, they woke up to find police in their bedroom, promptly arresting them. Pleading guilty, the couple received a one-year prison sentence, which the judge suspended on the condition that they leave Virginia and refrain from returning for 25 years. The judge, in condemning their marriage, expressed his belief that "Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow, malay and red, and he placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with his arrangement, there would be no cause for such marriages. The fact that he separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix." When the Lovings appealed their case to the Virginia courts, and subsequent appeals failed, they took their fight to the United States Supreme Court.

The Legal Victory and the Start of “Loving Day”

 

How well-acquainted are you with the 14th Amendment? This amendment incorporates the Equal Protection Clause, which declares that no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Virginia's prohibition on interracial marriage was unconstitutional, as it violated the fundamental right to marry. The justices concluded that denying individuals the right to marry based on their race constituted a clear violation of equal protection, imposing racial classifications and discriminating against interracial couples solely on the basis of their race. This landmark ruling not only affirmed the love and union between Mildred and Richard Loving, but it also set a powerful precedent for generations to come.

In 2004, Ken Tanabe established Loving Day as an annual celebration on June 12th to commemorate this milestone, symbolizing the triumph of love, equality, and justice. Attitudes toward interracial marriage have come a long way, with 94% of Americans polled in 2021 expressing their approval. Imagine how many couples can now celebrate their love stories on this day and every day, thanks to the Supreme Court decision on June 12, 1967, affirming that all individuals, regardless of their race, possess the equal right to marry and enjoy the protections and benefits that accompany marriage!

Promoting Conversations of Empathy and Understanding

 

It only takes a few minutes of consuming news stories and other media to see how painfully polarized our country is when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and other principles that foster fairness and justice for marginalized people. Loving Day offers a valuable opportunity to promote conversations and understanding about race, interracial relationships, and intersectionality within the workplace. Given that Loving Day falls in the month of June, it is a perfect opportunity to talk about intersectionality in the context of Pride month, as well. It serves as a reminder that diversity encompasses not only race but also the multitude of identities and lived experiences that employees bring with them to work each day.

In celebrating Loving Day, organizations can create a safe and inclusive spaces for dialogue. This can be achieved through various initiatives such as panel discussions, workshops, or diversity training sessions focused on topics related to interracial relationships, cultural competency, and allyship. These conversations allow employees to share their unique perspectives, fostering empathy, and deepening understanding among colleagues.

By actively engaging in these discussions, organizations and their leaders demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and provide employees with opportunities for growth and education. It encourages individuals to confront their biases, challenge preconceived notions, and learn from one another's lived experiences. Moreover, Loving Day celebrations can extend beyond a single day. Companies can organize ongoing programs or resource groups that promote dialogue and awareness throughout the year. This continuous effort reinforces the message that diversity and inclusion are not merely buzzwords but fundamental values that shape the company's culture. 

Putting it into Practice

 

While conversations and understanding are crucial, it is equally important for companies to take concrete actions to support diversity, equity, and inclusion. Loving Day can serve as a catalyst for reviewing policies and practices (and perhaps making some changes!) to make sure that they reflect equity in the workplace. This can involve revisiting recruitment and hiring practices to ensure a diverse candidate pool and unbiased selection processes. Companies can establish clear guidelines and trainings to ensure fair treatment throughout the employee lifecycle.

Organizations can also assess their promotion and advancement processes to ensure equitable opportunities for all employees, regardless of their background. This can include mentorship programs, sponsorship initiatives, and inclusive leadership development. Additionally, companies can conduct regular diversity assessments and create diversity and inclusion metrics to measure progress and hold themselves accountable. By transparently sharing this data, organizations not only demonstrate their commitment to diversity but also create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Moreover, it is crucial to recognize that families embody a rich tapestry of diversity, encompassing various forms and structures. In light of this, organizations play a pivotal role in fostering inclusivity by implementing policies that extend support and benefits, such as comprehensive healthcare coverage, to all types of families. 

Final Thoughts

 

Loving Day represents far more than a legal victory; it stands as an enduring symbol of love and acceptance. For my family, it serves as a powerful reminder of the love that brought us together and continues to bind us. In a world where hate and division persist, Loving Day serves as a beacon of hope, emphasizing the transformative power of empathy, understanding, and unwavering love.

Loving Day holds deep personal significance as a celebration of love, equality, and diversity. By leveraging the historical significance of Loving Day and its relevance to American families and, indeed, families all around the world, organizations can foster inclusive workplaces that value and celebrate diversity. Through conversations, understanding, and the implementation of inclusive policies and practices, organizations can create environments where employees feel seen, heard, and valued. Let Loving Day be a catalyst for personal reflection as well as positive change and a reminder of the ongoing work needed to build a more equitable and inclusive society. 

 

Sources and References:

 

• Davis, J. (2001). Who is black? One nation's definition. Penn State University Press; 10th Anniversary edition.
• Loving Day Established by Ken Tanabe: https://kentanabe.com/organizer
• Loving Day: https://lovingday.org/
• Loving Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33g-ZHBQdNU
• Loving Film IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4669986/
• McCarthy, J. (2021). U.S. approval of interracial marriage at new high of 94%. Gallup. https://news.gallup.com/poll/354638/approval-interracial-marriage-new-high.aspx.
• The Virginia Law Register. (1907). The Commonwealth of Virginia v. W. G. Loving. The Virginia Law Register, 13(4), 249-257. https://doi.org/10.2307/1102825
• Wallenstein, P. (1995). The right to marry: Loving v. Virginia. OAH Magazine of History, 9(2), 37-41. https://www.jstor.org/stable/25163014