Jake and Mary Jacobs recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, a remarkable achievement considering the challenges they faced to get there.
In the 1940s, when they first met, Jake was one of the few black men living in the city where Mary, a white woman, resided. Despite her father’s objections, Mary was determined to be with Jake, whom she had fallen in love with while they were both studying at the same technical college.
After Jake returned to Trinidad, the couple continued to correspond, and when he came back to the UK a few years later, he surprised Mary by proposing to her. However, when Mary informed her family of their engagement, they disowned her, and she left with only a small suitcase.
The early years of their marriage were difficult, as they faced racism and discrimination from society. Mary said she cried every day and barely ate, and they struggled to find accommodation or work due to their skin color.
Despite these challenges, they persisted, and Mary went on to become a teacher and assistant principal of a British school, while Jake secured a job with the Post Office. They made new friends, but Mary felt the need to explain to people that her husband was black before introducing him.
Their love has endured, and they recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. However, Jake emphasized that black youth today have no understanding of what life was like for him in 1940s Britain, where he faced abuse and harassment on a daily basis.
Despite the bias and obstacles they faced, the Jacobs are a true inspiration, and their enduring love is a testament to the power of commitment and perseverance.
