It’s the beautiful couple photo that has got everyone talking.
No, it’s absolutely nothing to do with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Jeez, not everything has to be about Harry and Meghan guys!
We’re talking about a Scottish academic and his Ghanian wife.
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On Boxing Day, Professor John Struthers, an Honorary Consul for Ethiopia in Scotland, tweeted a photo of himself with wife Justina — both dressed in traditional Ghanaian Kente cloth — at the Queen’s garden party in Edinburgh in July. The couple met at Glasgow University in the 1970s, and have been married for over 40 years.
Accompanying the photograph was a heartwarming story of love conquering adversity. Taylor Swift take note: this is how you beat the haters.
I thought I would share..
— Prof. John Struthers (@jjstruthersuk) December 26, 2017
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. #Diversitypic.twitter.com/jmd0F0i71r
“We haven't wavered!” Struthers tweeted. “The best way of fighting racism is living your life, standing tall, and educating.”
The beautiful photograph struck a chord — and as tens of thousands of people retweeted the touching moment, many shared their own stories of true love defying borders, cultures, and traditional expectations.
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)
— Jay (@jstands4jay) December 27, 2017
She chose love over ignorance and bigotry and the rest is history #diversitypic.twitter.com/J0KRitI5La
Inspirational. 17 years for us - #diversity is the answer ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1H5bIVHAEy
— OorWa (@OorWullB) December 27, 2017
Love is Love is Love. We ignore any and all ignorant looks or comments. pic.twitter.com/4qqge9WrpS
— Lauren (@LoloRen34) December 31, 2017
In no time at all it’s everywhere. The day has been won by diversity, unity, and inspiring stories of devotion in the face of hate.
"Responses to the tweet have been heart-warming and overwhelming,” Professor Struthers commented.
Duncan Jones, the son of the late David Bowie, was soon sharing the modern love too.
Not that I’m biased or anything!😉 pic.twitter.com/ZIRgPXwrZA
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) December 30, 2017
And never forget this adorable team. :) pic.twitter.com/AoWeN9ChWP
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) December 30, 2017
.Still reading? Good! The good vibes aren’t over yet. No, sir. Not even slightly.
Beautiful story. Here is a photo of me & my Iranian husband taken in Tehran at our Persian wedding in 1983! pic.twitter.com/CSMGN185yx
— Nicola (@nichatola) December 31, 2017
@jjstruthersuk love what u said about educate. Let us never forget to teach and educate. My husband and I have been together since we were 14/15 married at 19Been married for 14.5 wonderful years and counting. Here is our picture featured in this article: https://t.co/fffTckYu4Apic.twitter.com/m5kgVrsn2l
— his Mrs. Button (@kuteasabutton6) 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
This is usually the part where we’d hit you with some statistics about racism and its very real implications for equality all over the world. But, just this once, let’s just keep falling in love… with love.
@jjstruthersuk my parents got to 40 before my father died. Here they are in Hampstead, London 1959, with me! pic.twitter.com/6NoYqnmI22
— Rhoda Dakar (@RhodaDakar) December 31, 2017
You sir, are in an inspiration to the younger generation. Thank you for sharing. pic.twitter.com/sXlYk14K3O
— Sir Turtlelot (@SirTurtlelot) December 31, 2017
You are not alone we have had all sorts of things said to us. Now I know that people who are not happy in their own lives spend time analysing and pecking at what they can't have. pic.twitter.com/8TM5eKjAvD
— Casa Joya Restaurant (@CasaJoya) December 27, 2017
More! Give us more!
@jjstruthersuk This year my parents celebrated 50 years of marriage after meeting at the Students Union in Bristol #diversity#loveconquersallpic.twitter.com/uinU54S6o7
— Alys Morris (@MorrisMorris247) January 1, 2018
And here’s us 29 years ago. Just this month we got asked if we meant to book a double room. *sigh* We have never compromised who we are. #diversitypic.twitter.com/RSqFqGkHi6
— ROY (@waterlooloon) December 31, 2017
One reason I follow you is because there *are* so few mixed couples in the public eye, and it’s nice to see one thriving.
— MiMi Aye (@meemalee) December 30, 2017
Anyway, my husband and I have been together for 17 years, and married for 13 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fUvRmYJHKg
What else can we say? Sometimes a picture can tell a thousand words, and sometimes a face can launch a thousand ships. But a story like this can endure a lifetime — and the mark of love it can leave behind can live forever.
Global Citizen campaigns on the Global Goals, including Goal No. 10 for reduced inequalities. Take action with us here, just as soon as you’ve stopped crying your eyes out.
Every once in a while, a random human being shares something so beautiful, so powerful it restores my faith in humanity. @jjstruthersuk has just done that for me today. Thank you so much and God bless you!
— Ali Mufuruki (@amufuruki) December 29, 2017