Happy Loving Day

Loving v. Virginia, 388 U.S. 1 (1967)[1], was a landmark civil rights case in which the United States Supreme Court declared Virginia's anti-miscegenation statute, the "Racial Integrity Act of 1924", unconstitutional, and ending all race-based legal restrictions on marriage in the United States.

on june 12, i celebrated Happy Loving Day!
only 41 years ago was it made legal to marry a person from another race. it feels like our country has gone so far but still need to progress. like with the gay marriages in california at this moment, which will be put on the ballot in november. i like to think we all have things equally but usually those marginized group we sometimes forget about remain unequal and with not the same access and resources.

as to celebrating Loving Day i went to FIRST ever Mixed Root Literary and Media Festival at the Japanese American National Museum (my hood- how could i not go?)

how great it felt to be amongst the mixed community. to be surrounded by mixed artist, film makers, poets, writers as they breakthough the art and culture world. most of my knowledge and community of the mixed has been through the mixed asian community and mostly my age group. at this festival, i was surrounded by a majority black mixed group and all ages, usually older then me. it was a breath of fresh air as it reminded me of how times are always changing, there is somethings always new to learn. i just have to be open to the challange.

on thursday, i heard this great writer and speaker, rebecca walker. she spoke about the 5 things a mixed person should do or not do. some things she made me think about

no longer being the tragic mulatto. there has been talk of the tragic mulatto to be the mixed person who feels like their life is so tragic or hard because they are mixed. it's also something other ppl have put on the mulatto, like you have two cultures, your life must be so hard. but come on now. we should embrace our mixedness and be proud!

to not self-sacrifice yourself. to make sure that you know what you are getting into and that your cause follows under your own ethic and moral beliefs. also, to know your limits and know how much you can or cannot commit. i want to have a personal life that doesn't always involve my work or other passions.

and then she talked about spirituality. how being mixed she felt pulled in lots of different directions and could think of 2 sides to every situation. this leading her to find spirituality to ultimately bring her freedom.

FREEDOM! this is something that i ultimately am trying to pursue. freedom of mind.
growing up, i've always avoided conversations about faith and spirituality but i think i wasn't ready to challenge myself with those ideas. now, i am starting to ask myself those questions on my beliefs. why don't we have more conversations about spirituality?

ok, these race conferences and talks always raise a bunch of issues that you can tell have been all jumbled in my head. but anyways, i enjoyed this event as it motivated me and reminded me that their others that feel just the same way as i do. i am grateful and take for granted the feeling of finding a place to belong.