A Wedding Party That Looked Like a Funeral

Next June marks 60 years since Loving v. Virginia. My parents did not wait for it.

By: Benjamin Jealous

Outlets: New Jersey Urban News

Published: September 9, 2026

Words: 900

Last Updated: 3 days, 23 hours ago

Body Text Preview

This month my parents are beginning their seventh decade of marriage despite a law that tried to stop them.

Sixty years ago they were married in a church in Washington, D.C. They had to leave Maryland to do it. My mother is Black. My father is White. In Maryland, their marriage was a crime.

They met in West Baltimore. Her city. Two student teachers at Harlem Park Junior High, the same classroom, one semester after …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us