Tell the Court I Love My Wife: Race, Marriage, and Law--An American History

by Peter Wallenstein

Book Overview

The first in-depth history of miscegenation law in the United States, this book illustrates in vivid detail how states, communities, and the courts have defined and regulated mixed-race marriage from... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312294743
• ISBN13: 9780312294748
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
• Length: 305 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A Very Vital Book

for those of us who want to research the history of interracial marriage and the restrictive laws being put in place by people in power in America for centuries until several interracial couples challenge those racist laws, starting after WWII and beginning with the California antimiscegenation laws. Today, California has the highest numbers of IRs and multiracial children with the exception of Hawaii. Please read this book and learn. May Mildred Loving rests in peace.

Good Jumping Point for Research

Take time to google some of the people in this book and you see another whole layer unfold in this story. I enjoyed the life they lived of honor and dignity. I didn't read about them hating family or neighbors but of working hard to bring dignity to what they had created. Amazing how the opinions of people depending on what society is facing can change so quickly. Additionally, you might want to look for some of the descendents on Ancestry to chat with and you'll even get more insight.

Excellent look back at the outlawing of interracial marriage

With the debate over gay marriage impacting the presidential race, Peter Wallenstein provides a timely history lesson focusing on the previous matrimony taboo: interracial marriage. In 1958, a Virginia couple was arrested for violating state law on interracial marriage. In 1967, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the law was unconstitutional, thus outlawing miscegenation laws some as old as three centuries. Mr. Wallenstein points out that the laws on interracial marriage tied very closely to social attitudes on race throughout the nation's history and in many cases back to colonial timesHe eloquently and interestingly points out the history of interracial couples and miscegenation laws. The author makes the case that the more you allow the state to dictate about adults, the more everyone loses. Imagine what that means with an amendment. TELL THE COURT I LOVE MY WIFE: RACE, MARRIAGE, AND LAW - AN AMERICAN HISTORY is a well written, thought provoking, and perfectly timed look back at a black eye on the nation's heritage. Readers who see the dots connected to the current debate will want to read Jonathan Rauch's strong dissertation in support of GAY MARRIAGE.Harriet Klausner