True love is boundless, unrestrainable, blind, and more specifically – colorblind. It is a raw emotion that doesn’t owe an explanation to tradition, ideas, beliefs, and restrictive rules. And professor John Struthers and his beloved wife Justina are among the thousands of people who stand firmly in proof of it.
While attending the Queen’s garden party in Edinburgh, John, dressed in a traditional Scottish kilt, and his wife Justina, wearing a dress from Ghanaian Kente cloth, had their picture taken and later published on Twitter.
“We’ve had disapproving looks, ‘we are full’, ‘is that your wife’ and many more actions questioning our relationship over the last 40+yrs,“ wrote professor Struthers.
“We haven’t wavered! The best way of fighting racism is living your life, standing tall and educating. #Diversity”
I thought I would share..
We’ve had disapproving looks, ‘we are full’, ‘is that your wife’ and many more actions questioning our relationship over the last 40+yrs
We haven’t wavered!
The best way of fighting racism is living your life, standing tall and educating. #Diversity pic.twitter.com/jmd0F0i71r
— Prof. John Struthers (@jjstruthersuk) December 26, 2017
John Struthers is a Professor of Economics at the University of West Scotland, the Director of the Centre for African Research on Enterprise and Economic Development, as well as the Honorary Consul for Ethiopia in Scotland.
He and his Ghanaian wife Justina have been married for 40 years and are still in love and as happy as a couple can be. While their interracial relationship has often come to racist and bigoted remarks, they have never stopped being true to their love.
Professor Struthers’s tweet has inspired many other interracial couples and families to share their love and support for #diversity. “Responses to the tweet have been heart-warming and overwhelming,” he said in response to the positive reaction.
Total respect for you both. My nan was disowned by her family in the early 50’s for marrying my grandad who originally came from Nigeria (she was from Co. Mayo)
She chose love over ignorance and bigotry and the rest is history #diversity pic.twitter.com/J0KRitI5La
— Jay (@jstands4jay) December 27, 2017
Choosing love over ignorance and bigotry, no matter the cost, is what we all need to strive and cheer for. Perhaps the sad truth is that even today, people don’t seem to realize the beauty of love and like to look at things only from their own perspective.
Me and my hubby with our son, we get racial abuse near enough every day where we live. My family disapproved of me being with him and now we don’t speak anymore but we are so happy. Love is everything. pic.twitter.com/H9gwKVg903
— Jessica✨ (@3jessi5) January 2, 2018
Nice kilt @jjstruthersuk! Here’s my wife and I on our wedding day (I also wore a turban & sherwani for our Sikh ceremony). I hope we have at least 40+ years of unwavering unity too. Thanks for sharing! ✊????✊???? pic.twitter.com/o20iV0TBPq
— Tom Quinn (@TomTheProducer1) December 28, 2017
But in the end, love prevails and it makes way for even more love! Never forget that love is everything! Celebrate it in all forms and never ask why it exists. Be thankful that it does.
Thanks for sharing Dad! Here’s my wedding pic. Another 38 year required to catch up with you and Mum! #diversity pic.twitter.com/J4KH5wohDl
— Richard Struthers (@Ricodafool) December 30, 2017
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.