Loving Day & Juneteenth

6/10/2024

By respecting and appreciating the diversity within our LRCD communities, we can empower everyone to live their best life and promote equity and justice for all of our residents. We hope you enjoy these resources and events that help you learn about and celebrate the beauty in our differences, while acknowledging our shared humanity.

June 12 is Loving Day

Loving Day commemorates the anniversary of the Supreme Court Case, Loving v. Virginia, which struck down state laws banning interracial marriage. The “Loving” in Loving Day is the last name of Mildred and Richard Loving, who were arrested in 1958 because they were an interracial couple in Virginia. They sued the State of Virginia, and their case made it all the way to the Supreme Court.

The Lovings won their case on June 12, 1967. It was more than a victory for their family. It struck down all state laws against interracial marriage in the U.S.

People around the world observe Loving Day every year on June 12th in meaningful and personal ways. It can be especially significant for interracial couples, multiracial families, mixed race and transracially adopted people, and those with similar lived experience.

One easy way to celebrate your family is to share photos and stories on social media with the hashtag #LovingDay. You can find more information and ways to celebrate at www.lovingday.org.

Raising Multiracial Children

This two-part YouTube series, “Raising Multiracial Children,” by EmbraceRace explores the complexities of multiracial identity, discusses the pivotal role families play in shaping how multiracial children come to understand themselves and the world around them, and talks about concrete steps that parents and caregivers can take to build resilience as a multiracial family.

Celebrating Juneteenth

The Emancipation Proclamation took effect during the Civil War, on January 1, 1863. The Proclamation declared all enslaved people in the Confederate States as legally free. However, the Proclamation could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth” by the newly freed people in Texas.

Although Juneteenth has long been celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event is just now starting to be recognized by everyone in the U.S. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.

Here in New Hampshire, you can join the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire in celebrating Juneteenth with their event series including an artist reception on June 7, a panel discussion of Black masculinity on June 13, and on June 19 a live concert, African drumming, and more.