Love is not defined by race
“Is Virginia Really for Lovers?” event discusses the disposal of 1967 marriage bans
LEARN — Students at the March 31 event heard from Ken Tanabe about interracial marriage laws in Virginia.
Photo Credit: Alexandra Ramey
Liberty University’s Center for Multicultural Enrichment (Center4ME) expanded the initiative, Because it Matters, through an event focused on interracial relationships March 31.
“Is Virginia Really for Lovers?” is an event that stems from the national “Loving Day” event that is celebrated each year June 12.
Ken Tanabe is the founder of “Loving Day” and travels to many conferences and events to speak on the subject.
Allen Ancheril, associate director of campus relations at the Center4ME, has attended conferences where Tanabe was a featured speaker and believed his information aligned perfectly with their initiative.
“The Because it Matters campaign is working to promote cultural harmony and foster a cohesive campus community through programming focused on racial wellness,” Ancheril said.
“Loving Day” was created by Tanabe when he discovered the U.S. Supreme Court Decision Loving v. Virginia which occurred in 1967.
This decision disposed of all laws prohibiting interracial marriages.
He wanted to help educate others about this important case and celebrate the multicultural community.
“All of Center4ME’s programming focuses on being intentional about one’s personal efforts to explore, appreciate and understand the complex difference of others,” Ancheril said.
“We can do this while actively connecting with our similarities.”
Part of the mission statement of the Center4ME focuses on being sensitive to the needs of others and Ancheril believes this event is a representation of this.
Through creating a dialogue and awareness of different racial issues, the students can become better equipped when presented with similar situations.
The “Loving Day” event was founded to provide others with education of the history behind these relationships.
Education is the necessary part of promoting tolerance, awareness and understanding, according to the official Loving Day website.
According to Ancheril, the goal of this event is to create an experiential learning opportunity for the student body.
“Today many of us may take our relationships for granted but people have fought for the right to love people who were different than they were,” Ancheril said.
“With the rise in racial tensions in our country let’s not forget that we are all still people, and that love knows no bounds.”
Ancheril hopes that participants of the event will take away a better understanding of interracial relationships and the joys and struggles of those who worked to gain freedom.
He believes that those who are currently in these relationships will learn some of the dynamics that surround their lives.
The Center4ME plans on creating more events that are similar to this one for the future years, according to Ancheril.
A growing campus creates a need for more diverse programs like the ones that fall under the Because it Matters initiative.
“There is an increase of interracial relationships on Liberty’s campus,” Ancheril said.
“Students have expressed appreciation for the topic and have experienced struggles and insecurities regarding being with someone of a different race.”
With events like this one, Ancheril hopes to satisfy the needs of the students who are facing these challenges.
He says the Center4ME will continue to provide students the opportunity to dive deeper and learn more about current issues regarding differing cultures.
For more information on the Center4ME, visit their offices in Montview 2500 and 2560 or email them at Center4ME@liberty.edu.
Whittaker is a feature reporter.
My husband and I (both caucasions) have disagreed about interracial marriage since our relationship began 29 years ago. Sadly, it has been an ongoing battle within our marriage since day one. We are both Christians; he was raised Presbyterian (PCA) and I was raised Baptist. We both are members of our local Baptist church. Our core beliefs usually are in line, except when it comes to interracial relationships. I believe that God made man and created Woman from the rib of a man, therefore all men (and women) are the same, despite skin color. He always refers back to the OT when God tells the Israelites not to mix outside of their tribe. As a believer that Jesus did away with the law, for the most part (not counting the 10 commandments), I believe that a man and woman of different ethnicities can marry and be in favor with God. He believes that it is an outright sin and should never be encouraged, let alone permitted. As a firm believer in Liberty College and its teachings, I would like to know what the college teaches. I have many family members and friends who have attended your college and have become life-changing pastors and preachers, so I trust your teachings are biblically based. I appreciate your feedback and look forward to your response. Thank you! Sincerely, Christa Feathers
If you look at Boaz and Ruth more importantly as you stated Jesus fulfilled the Law. Other than the 10 commandments when the curtains were torn after a Jesus was crucified the old law Is done with. Also if that is the case being an African American where my ancestry is mixed because of slaves being raped does that make me(us) tied to sin? I have told my sons I am more interested in their spouses being of the faith vs. their skin color.
So the question is would people be more open to someone marrying a non believer of the same race vs. someone who is of the faith who is of the opposite race.
The vast majority of people condemning interracial marriage are SHAMEFULLY AND WOEFULLY IGNORANT of what the Bible really teaches about it. Acts 17 refers to the fact that from ONE BLOOD he made all the races of the world. None of those people have an issue when a white man marries a Korean woman, filipino woman, mexican woman or Vietnamese woman. THEY ONLY HAVE AN ISSUE WHEN A BLACK MAN MARRIES A WHITE WOMAN. They use the Bible reference as a mask or cloak to cover their hidden prejudice towards black men and women. They need DELIVERANCE. They fail to realize that the root of all racism and fear is pride. Worse than that, many of them do not want to be delivered of their “undercover prejudice”. It is a shameful thing to be a born again christian and still have racism buried in your heart,