The Loving Project: Awareness born of long marriage prompts push for racial justice

     (Image courtesy of Brad Linder)

    (Image courtesy of Brad Linder)

    Craig, who is white, and Donna, who is black, have been married for 29 years. Their marriage has allowed Craig to understand some of the every-day racism that black people face in the U.S.

    This year marks the 50th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, the U.S. Supreme Court case that overturned state laws banning interracial marriage. Richard and Mildred Loving were a white man and a black woman who married in the 1950s — even though it was against the law in their home state of Virginia. They were forced to leave Virginia until the Supreme Court issued its ruling on June 12, 1967.

    Over five decades, interracial marriages have become more common across the United States. But people in mixed race marriages still face some unique challenges.

    The Loving Project” podcast features some of those couples telling the story of what it’s like to be in an interracial marriage today.

    Craig and Donna Harris

    Donna Craig-300x231Craig, who is white, and Donna, an African-American, have been married for 29 years. They met through a video-dating service.

    The couple lived in New Jersey for a while before settling down in the suburbs of Philadelphia, where they raised two children who are now in their 20s.

    Their marriage has allowed Craig to understand some of the every-day racism that black people face in the U.S. In recent years, the couple has decided to become more active in promoting racial justice.

    Do you have a story about your interracial marriage that you’d like to share? Send an essay to speakeasy@whyy.org

    This story is part of a collaboration between WHYY and “The Loving Project” podcast, produced by Brad Linder and Farrah Parkes. Hear a longer version of Craig and Donna’s story at the Loving Project website, and subscribe to “The Loving Project” podcast via iTunes for more stories.

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