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Richard and Mildred Loving

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The Resume

    Born in Caroline County, Virginia
    Richard Loving (October, 1933-June 29, 1975)
    Mildred Loving (1939-May 2, 2008), birth name was Mildred Jeter
    Richard was white; Mildred was black and Rappahanock Indian
    Five weeks their marriage, were arrested for violating the Virginia law against miscegenation (1958)
    Sentenced to one year in prison, which was suspended on the condition that they leave the state for 25 years
    Wrote to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy for help
    Kennedy referred them to the ACLU which took their case
    Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Loving v. Virginia that laws banning interracial marriages were unconstitutional (June 12, 1967)
    Subject of the film 'Mr. and Mrs. Loving' (1996)

Why they might be annoying:

    They began courting when Mildred was 11 and Richard was 17.
    They married when Mildred became pregnant.
    When they wanted to visit family in Virginia, they got around the ban on returning to the state 'together' by driving separate cars.
    Mildred said of the film 'Mr. and Mrs. Loving,' 'The only part of it right was I had three children.'

Why they might not be annoying:

    They had a perfect name for a marriage rights case.
    Richard told his attorney, 'Mr. Cohen, tell the court I love my wife and it is just unfair that I can't live with her in Virginia.'
    Mildred said the lesson from their case was 'If you're pursuing something and you know it's right, not to give up.'
    A collision with a drunk driver killed Richard and cost Mildred her right eye.
    On the 40th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, Mildred issued a statement supporting same-sex marriage, noting 'Government has no business imposing some people's religious beliefs over others. Especially if it denies people's civil rights.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 33 Votes: 27.27% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 19 Votes: 47.37% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 17 Votes: 52.94% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 42 Votes: 47.62% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 25 Votes: 48.00% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 49 Votes: 59.18% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 66 Votes: 42.42% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 189 Votes: 42.86% Annoying