The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage

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The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage was written by Selina Alko and illustrated by Sean Qualls. An interesting fact about Sean Qualls is that he is an award winning, Brooklyn-based, children’s book illustrator, artist and author. He has illustrated a number of celebrated books for children, including Giant Steps to Change The World by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis-Lee, Little Cloud and Lady Wind by Toni Morrison and her son Slade and Before John Was a Jazz Giant, for which he received a Coretta Scott King Illustration Honor.[1]

Summary

This is the story of one brave family: Mildred Loving, Richard Perry Loving, and their three children. It is the story of how Mildred and Richard fell in love and got married in Washington, D.C. But when they moved back to their hometown in Virginia, they were arrested (in dramatic fashion) for violating that state's laws against interracial marriage. The Lovings refused to allow their children to get the message that their parents' love was wrong and so they fought the unfair law, taking their case all the way to the Supreme Court - and won.[2]

Pros

Mary Ann Scheuer explained the reason why this book is recommended for children, especially the children from a mixed marriage. Tt as a story of two people who stand up and fight for what they think is right, a book about courage, civil rights, and fighting for change. IT is a way to start talking about race with young children, and the struggles one family went through not so long ago. Whichever to choose, this picture book makes a wonderful jumping-off point for talking with kids about things that really matter. Selina Alko tells this story in a calm, straightforward way, helping children understand how different and difficult things were for interracial couples just 60 years ago. The illustrations show Richard and Mildred's love and strength, but the gentle tones and collaged hearts keep the spirit warm and positive. Alko and Qualls explain the special importance of this story: their journey as an interracial couple echoes the Lovings'. Their end note adds weight and perspective.[3]

Through simple explanations and simple drawings, the author explains how people of different races (specifically Caucasian and African-Americans were not allowed to marry in the early 20th century. The last thing that mattered was that the couple was very much in love and wanted to start a family. Richard Loving was arrested and thrown in jail for marrying his African American sweetheart in the state of Virginia. This book could be shared with children who may be discussing the rights we have as Americans during a Social Studies lesson in their classroom. This book could be crucial to help students understand just how far our country has come in a few years making changes to improve the lives of people by changing our country's laws.[4]

References

  1. Sean Qualls. goodreads.com. Retrieved February 2nd, 2021.
  2. The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage. imdb.com. Retrieved February 2nd, 2021
  3. The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage, by Selina Alko & Sean Qualls (ages 4-9). February 18, 2015. Retrieved February 2nd, 2021
  4. The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage. goodreads.com. Retrieved February 2nd, 2021.