Fifty years seems like a long span of time, but consider for a moment how short it is in the grand scheme of things. It's been almost 50 years since interracial marriage was deemed unconstitutional -- a lifetime for some, but also surprisingly recent. Richard and Mildred Loving, were they alive today, would be able to tell you of their fight for marriage. Richard, a white man, and Mildred, a black woman of Native American descent, were married in Washington, D.C., in 1958. When they returned to their home town of Central Point, Virginia, an anonymous tipster ('sup, haterz?) notified the police that the Lovings were violating the state law forbidding interracial marriage. The Lovings were found guilty and sentenced to a year in prison, which was to be generously delayed for twenty-five years if they moved out of Virginia. They took their case to the Supreme Court, which eventually declared Virginia's law unconstitutional (along with similar laws in fifteen other states). The Loving Story, a documentary featuring interviews with Mildred and Richard's daughter, Peggy, and home movies of the couple made during their court case, tells the little-known story of the Lovings. The Missouri History Museum (Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue; 314-746-4599 or www.mohistory.org) screens The Loving Story at 7 p.m. tonight in the Lee Auditorium. Admission is free.
Wed., Feb. 13, 2013
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