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Film, symposium examine an interracial marriage that changed history E-mail
Thursday, February 16, 2012

An interracial marriage and landmark Supreme Court case that changed the course of history is the subject of a film screening and symposium March 1-2 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The events are hosted by the Center for the Study of the American South in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences, with support from the Institute for the Arts and Humanities for the symposium.

“The Loving Story” tells the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple living in Virginia in the 1950s. The film examines the drama, history and current state of interracial marriage and tolerance in the United States. It was short-listed for an Academy Award for best documentary film. The Hollywood Reporter wrote: “‘The Loving Story’ is a perfect time capsule that illuminates the racist past of our country with a uniquely personal and poignant emphasis.”

The film will be screened at the Varsity Theater on Franklin Street at 7 p.m. March 1, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Gene Nichol, UNC’s Boyd Tinsley Distinguished Professor of Law and director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity. The movie is free for students with a valid ID and $4 for the general public.

Panelists include:

  • Edward Ayers, president of the University of Richmond and historian of the American South;
  • Mark Anthony Neal, professor of African and African American studies, Duke University;
  • Robin Lenhardt, associate professor of law, Fordham University School of Law; and
  • George La Noue, professor of political science, University of Maryland.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 2 in Hyde Hall, the symposium, “Loving Then and Now: The Context and Impact of a Landmark Civil Rights Opinion,” will bring scholars together to discuss the film from historical, legal and cultural perspectives. A noon lunch discussion will feature filmmakers Nancy Buirski and Elisabeth James. The symposium is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please call (919) 962-5665 or go online to register.

Websites: http://www.uncsouth.org/, http://lovingfilm.com/ 

Center for the Study of the American South contact: Lisa Beavers, (919) 962-0503, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it