PBS Short Film Festival

(upbeat music) -

Narrator

For most of American history, marriage between races was against the law. (somber music) However, in the 17th century, in colonial Virginia, Africans and English could be allies, lovers, parents. and married. That is, until the Virginia Legislature convened in 1705. -

Judge

Order! There will be order in the House of Burgesses. Order in the house! -

Man

We land owning gentlemen of the crown can not afford another rebellion. -

Man

We must divide the poor. -

Man

We must divide the poor. We must separate the races. - Separate the races. -

Men

African, English, Scottish, Irish, Indians. -

Man

We must break the alliance between the poor. -

Man

Break the alliance. -

Judge

All in favor? -

Assembly Members

Aye. -

Judge

All opposed? (pen scratching) (somber music) The measure passes. (people speaking in foreign language) (paper rips) (man gasps) (haunting music) -

Husband

We are no longer allowed. -

Wife

To marry. -

Husband

We are no longer allowed. -

Wife

To start a family. -

Many

We are no longer allowed. -

Husband

Can we say aloud? -

Wife

Should we stay inside? -

Husband

That we have a child? -

Wife

Can we stay alive? -

Husband

We not coming out. -

Wife

Why are we vilified? -

Husband

Let's go underground. -

Many

We are no longer allowed. -

Both

To carry a child. -

Many

We are no longer allowed. (woman gasping) - To exchange vows. -

Many

We are no longer allowed. -

Husband

I am her father. -

Wife

Are you all right? -

Husband

And you are my wife. -

Wife

This isn't right. -

Husband

They're not taking our daughter. -

Wife

Let them try. -

Husband

That's on my life. Be it enacted. -

Wife

Be it enacted. -

Husband

No Negro. -

Wife

No Negro. -

Husband

No mulatto. -

Wife

No mulatto. -

Husband

No Indian. -

Wife

No Indian. (child coughs) -

Both

Be it enacted. -

Child

I love you, daddy. Be it enacted. - Be it enacted. -

Husband

Be it enacted. Be it enacted, be it enacted. -

Wife

Be it enacted. That no minister. (man knocking on door) -

Wife

Be it enacted. Who's there? Should hereafter marry. (sighs) No. - Why are they here? No, no, no, no. - Be it enacted. No, I won't let them do this. - I have to go. Shall hereafter marry a white. You can't, it's not fair! With a Negro or mulatto. - I have to. Or Indian. - Be it enacted. All Negro, mulatto, and Indian slaves. - Be it enacted that all children. - Shall be held as property. (dogs barking) - Of Negros, of mulattoes. I will be held as property. - Of slaves. Will be slaves. Until the day I die. (husband groans) -

Husband

Be it enacted. -

Wife

Be it enacted, if any master kills a slave, that master shall be free of all punishment, as if such a accident never happened. -

Husband

Be it enacted. -

Wife

Be it enacted. When a Negro goes away. - My children will be forbidden to read, To write, to vote, to marry. - It shall be lawful to dismember, to kill. - I love you. To testify. - And destroy. -

Both

Be it enacted. -

Wife

My child will be bought and sold. It shall be lawful. - Be it enacted. My child will labor until death because of the color of her skin. To dismember, to kill. (wife sighs shakily) Be it enacted. (whip cracks) And destroy. - My husband will be whipped, branded, maimed. (brand sizzles) Be it enacted. (fire crackles) Be it enacted. Be it enacted. That it shall be lawful. It shall be lawful. It shall be lawful to fix a perpetual brand, to fix a perpetual brand, to fix a perpetual brand upon Negros, mulattoes, and Indians. Upon us. -

Man

Be it enacted. -

Man

No Negro, no mullato. -

Man

No Indian. -

Man

By the advice and consent. -

Men

Be it enacted. -

Man

No Negros, no mulatto, no Indian. Of his Lordship's governor. - Be it enacted. No Negro, no mulatto. - No Negro, no mulatto. No Indian. - And the Houses of Assembly. -

Both

Be it enacted. No Negro, no mulatto, no Indian. -

Man

And by the authority of the Senate. (somber music) (upbeat music)