The Lovings of Virginia

Mildred and Richard Loving on their front porch, King and Queen County, Virginia. April 1965

When Mildred and Richard Loving married in Washington, D.C. in 1958, they didn't think they were breaking the law. Both were from the small town of Central Point, Virginia. Mildred was of African-American and Native American decent and Richard was white. They did know it was illegal for them to marry in their state-as well as 15 others, which is why they left to tie the knot. Within a month of returning home, police burst into their bedroom in the middle of the night and arrested them under the state's anti-miscegenation law. They were sentenced to a one-year in prison term that could be suspended if they left Virginia.

Banished to Washington, D.C., Mildred Loving, who did not consider herself a political person, wrote about her plight to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. The American Civil Liberties Union took up the case and brought it all the way to the United States Supreme Court. In 1967, in a landmark Civil Rights ruling, the court struck down America's laws against interracial marriage.

On the 40th anniversary of the ruling, Loving issued a statement that read, "I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard's and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight, seek in life."

The "Perfect" Lunch and No Easy Walk to Freedom

During lunchtime today, I left the office to go and pay my monthly YMCA pledge amount. After doing so, I decided to get a bite to eat. I began driving towards Assemble the restaurant over near the Rosie the Riveter Center when I noticed a new restaurant at a nearby strip mall. The restaurant was named Cafe Pascal and I became intrigued. I went to the restaurant and upon entering noticed that they had a live singer singing. Although this was Thursday noon, and this was Richmond, this guy was pretty good. Intrigued even further, I decided to dine at the Cafe Pascal. I actually ordered some French toast and bacon (yes, a bit bad on my part) along with some hot water with a lime twist and I grabbed an old Los Angeles magazine that had an article about the 52 best weekend destinations in the West. I then settled in and listened to the music.

The singer was actually a folk type singer who sang familiar tunes from the 60s and the 70s. Being the Old School nostalgic type, his singing fit right into my mood. I felt happy being there. The French toast and bacon tasted delicious and the hot water with the slice of lime warmed both my tummy and my heart. I grew more mellow. I even noticed the blooming cherry trees located outside the cafe. I noted that the unseasonably warm weather here in California has perhaps caused the trees to bloom a bit early, but at that moment, it seemed so appropriate to frame the day. Indeed, in a Zen like reflection, I thought about the scene from the movie The Last Samurai where the mortally wounded Katsumoto looks up to see the blossoms on a cherry tree and with his last breath says "Perfect." Looking at the cherry tree blossoms outside the Cafe Pascal while listening to the music from the mellow folk and soft rock music of the 60s and 70s, seemed to me to be "perfect."

As I prepared to depart, the singer sang a song that I had never heard before. The song seemed to be entitled "No Easy Walk to Freedom". Mellowed out but intrigued nevertheless when I got back to the office I looked up that song, viewed it, and became even more appreciative of the "perfection" of the day.

And being who I am, I naturally felt inclined to share it -- to share a little bit of perfection -- with some of my closest friends. I felt naturally inclined to share it with you.

Enjoy.

Peace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=750QHbksHe8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND-QPvtexGM

Brother martin was walkin with me,
And every step I heard liberty
Tho he’s fallin’, come a million behind!
Glory, hallelujah, gonna make it this time!

Chorus:
No easy walk to freedom,
No easy walk to freedom,
Keep on walkin and we shall be free
That’s how we’re gonna make history

Across the ocean, the blood’s running warm
I, I hear it coming, there’s a thunderin’ storm
Just like we lived it, you know that it’s true,
Nelson mandela, now we’re walkin with you!

(chorus)

In our land, not so long ago,
We lived the struggle, and that’s how we know
Slavery abolished, comin’ freedom’s call
Keep on walking and apartheid will fall!

(chorus)

Oh, bread for the body, there’s got to be
But a soul will die without liberty
Pray for the day when the struggle is past!
Freedom for all! free at last! free at last!

(chorus)

You and me!