A lot of big things happened in 1967.  Among the many salient events, two of the most notable (at least in our family) were: I was born, and on June 12, 1967, The U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Loving v. Virginia in which it held that laws prohibiting interracial marriage were unconstitutional.

Now, I can understand why for some, my birthday may not be a momentous event.  You may not know me that well and may not realize what an earth-shattering event it was for a White, Jewish future comic to be born to a family living in Brooklyn.

On the other hand, whether you are in an interracial relationship or not, whether you even know people who are, the Loving decision is a big deal.  At the time it was rendered, 17 states in the United States still had laws preventing interracial marriage.  That’s one-third of all the states in our country (by the way, if you know your U.S. History, it’s not hard to guess where those states are located).

These anti-interracial marriage laws (formally known as anti-miscegenation laws) were one of the pernicious remnants of our sordid racist past.  Indeed, for a country based on freedom, the notion that one is not free to marry the person of one’s choice is especially hateful.

Then, along came two very ordinary but very brave people — Mildred & Richard Loving — and through their efforts, this regime was toppled. They decided that they would not stand to have their marriage be deemed illegal, and they battled all the way to the highest court in the land where they emerged victorious for themselves and for all like them — like my wife and me — who followed.  We (all of us who followed) owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.  And, even if you’re not in an interracial marriage, if you’re an American and love what this country stands for then you have to love what they did and the outcome of their fight.

So, this June 12 is the 48th Anniversary of the date on which Loving v. Virginia was decided, and if you haven’t before, I encourage you to take part in commemorating this historic event.

And, then, on August 5, you can help me celebrate my 48th birthday 🙂