Mobituaries: Death of a marriage ban

In 1967, after the Supreme Court's landmark Loving decision ended bans against interracial marriage, Peggy Rusk – daughter of America's Secretary of State Dean Rusk – made front-page news by marrying Guy Smith, a Black riding instructor. [For more, tune in to "Mobituaries" wherever you download podcasts.]
#mobituaries #interracialcouple #interracialmarriage

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[mikewashington]

I know how she felt when her husband’s last words were “I’m sorry for leaving you alone”. Those same words are in my mind everyday when I think of leaving my wife once I live my last days on earth. 😢

[mdunn]

My heart broke when he said "I am sorry I am leaving you alone"

[kaizma]

It is wonderful to have this update on Guy and Peggy's life together. I remember stumbling upon the Time cover and article about 15 years ago and wondered how they fared. So thrilled to find out it was a good marriage and they were happy. I did see Guy's obituary and was sad to hear he had passed away.

[Julie]

I listened to the podcast a few days ago and I loved the story, this little video brings up everything that I imagined, Guy was drop dead gorgeous! Seriously, he was a great catch, Air Force pilot, loving husband, loved horses and handsome, who wouldn’t want to marry him? ❤❤

[Mia]

Beautiful story. 'We just loved each other.' ❤❤

[thistlesandpoppies]

What a beautiful live story. I was so touched that her dad stood by her, and Pres Johnson stood by Rusk. I miss when politicians would stand up and do the right thing for their family and country, instead of doing what it takes to get re-elected. When they were class acts not spewing hate and divisiveness.

[SandyWolf-]

Beautiful touching story, brought tears to my eyes😮‍💨
My husband's last words were also "sorry I have to go now"

[justjoan]

If people only can accept that; no hidden agenda, they just loved each other. Just let people love who they love. Loved their story.

[A-md]

I can't imagine, I get emotional thinking of the cruelty of racism. I hope there is a day when we're all just humans and enjoy our diversity.

[rosannekatonwalden]

What a wonderful piece! Peggy Rusk, former Secretary of State Dean Rusk and the late Guy Smith=brave, loving and great Americans.

[astaraoneill]

I had a therapist who suggested I was with a man of color to “get back at my dad”. When I told her I was terminating therapy with her, she said “but I thought we were friends” !!

[highnetworthwomeninstitute]

My parents were married in 1963 and I was born in 1965. I have respect and awe beyond words for what it took for my parents to ignore society and do what they wanted to.

[ladydeerheart]

I was five years old in 1967. I remember how "upsetting" the six o'clock news was to my grandparents but my parents, aunts and uncles, weren't upset about the same things. They were upset about the war. Who other people fell in love with didn't matter to them. I do remember the first interracial couple I saw. People we're staring, of course. I was smiling. Even then I knew how important things like that were and I was proud to be an American because of it. (if you were there you know a five year old in the '60's was like a nine year old today. we were already mowing the lawn and doing dishes at five)

You fall in love and get married. It should be as simple as that. It is NOBODYS business who you marry. I hate to think good people will start hiding again. We worked so hard and seemed to get so far I just assumed we would keep moving forward. It crushes my soul to think my grandchild will be starting out where I did ... fifty years ago. Trumpublican Christian Nationalists are a setback but they are NOT the majority. We must at least hold our ground.

[sooz]

This is a beautiful example of Love at it's best. ❤️
Thank you for reminding us.

[glnnchrstphr]

"We just loved each other, and that's all that mattered."
I still can't wrap my head around the fact that so many people have a problem with that. Why do other people take it upon themselves to be worried or they are insulted by two people getting married that happen to be a slightly different color. 🤔

[Shahrdad]

There is a nice interview with Katharine Houghton, who played the engaged girl in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, " where she says that she thought her character wasn't good enough for Dr. Prentice. He was a brilliant, accomplished, successful, highly respected man who just happened to be black, and all her character had going for her was that she was white and pretty.

[kathyrama]

How lucky she was to have a man that loved her so much. He apologized for leaving her alone. How lucky he was to have a woman who loved him so much.

[TheLochs]

Race is a social construct. There is only one race, Human.

[FacheChanteDeux]

They were beautiful on their wedding day. We all need to be this courageous right now for the sake of saving what was is right.

[missylearned]

Beautiful story I’d never heard! …”we didn’t get married for any reason other than the fact we just loved each other.”