Warning you are living in 1959

[CrysG]

NEW ORLEANS â€" A white Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.

Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.

"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," Bardwell told the Associated Press on Thursday. "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else."

Bardwell said he asks everyone who calls about marriage if they are a mixed race couple. If they are, he does not marry them, he said.

Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.

"There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage," Bardwell said. "I think those children suffer and I won't help put them through it."

If he did an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said.

"I try to treat everyone equally," he said.

Bardwell estimates that he has refused to marry about four couples during his career, all in the past 2 1/2 years.

Beth Humphrey, 30, and 32-year-old Terence McKay, both of Hammond, say they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint.

Humphrey, an account manager for a marketing firm, said she and McKay, a welder, just returned to Louisiana. She is white and he is black. She plans to enroll in the University of New Orleans to pursue a masters degree in minority politics.

"That was one thing that made this so unbelievable," she said. "It's not something you expect in this day and age."

Humphrey said she called Bardwell on Oct. 6 to inquire about getting a marriage license signed. She says Bardwell's wife told her that Bardwell will not sign marriage licenses for interracial couples. Bardwell suggested the couple go to another justice of the peace in the parish who agreed to marry them.

"We are looking forward to having children," Humphrey said. "And all our friends and co-workers have been very supportive. Except for this, we're typical happy newlyweds."

"It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009," said American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana attorney Katie Schwartzmann. She said the Supreme Court ruled in 1967 "that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry."

The ACLU sent a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Committee, which oversees the state justices of the peace, asking them to investigate Bardwell and recommending "the most severe sanctions available, because such blatant bigotry poses a substantial threat of serious harm to the administration of justice."

"He knew he was breaking the law, but continued to do it," Schwartzmann said.

According to the clerk of court's office, application for a marriage license must be made three days before the ceremony because there is a 72-hour waiting period. The applicants are asked if they have previously been married. If so, they must show how the marriage ended, such as divorce.

Other than that, all they need is a birth certificate and Social Security card.

The license fee is $35, and the license must be signed by a Louisiana minister, justice of the peace or judge. The original is returned to the clerk's office.

"I've been a justice of the peace for 34 years and I don't think I've mistreated anybody," Bardwell said. "I've made some mistakes, but you have too. I didn't tell this couple they couldn't get married. I just told them I wouldn't do it."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091016/ap_on_re_us/us_interracial_rebuff


Really?!?!?! Is he unaware that the President is mixed raced? More proof as to why people think the south is full of redneck hillbillies.

[David]

I'm surprised this is even news. Someone from Louisiana is prejudice? no way!

[buckethead]

First of all, bigotry is not isolated within any geographic area.

Secondly, a JOP is free to have his/her opinions as are the rest of us. What is not so clear is if a Justice of the Peace can refuse to perform a marriage ceremony based on personal preferences.

[stephElf]

First of all, bigotry is not isolated within any geographic area.

Agreed. Some people are just more frank about it.  I can tell you some of my family members would have been REALLY unhappy had I married someone outside of my own race.

It's sad.  We haven't made much progress as a country... at least it feels that way.  The only thing that has changed is that some people are politically correct because they feel like they should be/ have to be ... vs. out of the goodness of their heart.

[David]

First of all, bigotry is not isolated within any geographic area.

is too.

[CrysG]

I'm a mixed raced person so I'm sorry if this isn't a big deal to some. Oh and my husband is white.

[ac]

Steph-

Some folks have to fake it 'til they make it.  I think the PC-ness stems more from knowing that it should be out of the goodness of one's heart.  Some people have to struggle against their upbringing moreso than others.

Maybe I'm wrong.  But I hope the majority of the people you describe who treat people fairly out of a sense of obligation or duty do it because they know in their heart that it's wrong not to, rather than an insidious need to hide their true feelings to operate or advance in society.

That said, this guy should be removed from his capacity as JOP if he cannot operate under the law of the land.

[stephElf]

Steph-

Some folks have to fake it 'til they make it.  I think the PC-ness stems more from knowing that it should be out of the goodness of one's heart.  Some people have to struggle against their upbringing moreso than others.

Maybe I'm wrong.  But I hope the majority of the people you describe who treat people fairly out of a sense of obligation or duty do it because they know in their heart that it's wrong not to, rather than an insidious need to hide their true feelings to operate or advance in society.

I think there are both types of people... In general, I like to see the good in people. And sometimes, it isn't that people are bad, it's that they are ignorant, un-educated, sheltered or working against their upbringing as you mentioned.

Either way, people should be able to marry who they want. Any race, any sexual orientation.

[ac]

No doubt, Steph.

[BridgeTroll]

This guy needs to be removed from his position.  Racism should not be tolerated.  That said I am going to get out my can opener.

One person mentioned that bigotry is not confined to one geographical area.  This is true.  It is also not confined to one particular race.

Someone mentioned that certain family members would be unhappy had they married outside their race.  This is true of many races and cultures.

Racism should be challenged and rooted out whenever it occurs, regardless of who commits it.

[buckethead]

I'm a mixed raced person so I'm sorry if this isn't a big deal to some. Oh and my husband is white.

I did not say it isn't a big deal. There isn't much to be done about racism other than to not be a racist. Those who chose otherwise must face the consequences of their actions. Should there be legal consequences for believing one race is superior to another, or even all others? What about believing one religion is superior to all others?

I could go on.

[CrysG]

There isn't much to be done about racism other than to not be a racist.

What's wrong with that logic is that if you feel like there is nothing to be done it becomes no big deal. Next there is nothing to be done about a cross burning in my yard. Nothing to be done about spray painting things on my door.

Saying there is is nothing to be done is to become numb to the issue.

[Sportmotor]

There isn't much to be done about racism other than to not be a racist.

What's wrong with that logic is that if you feel like there is nothing to be done it becomes no big deal. Next there is nothing to be done about a cross burning in my yard. Nothing to be done about spray painting things on my door.

Saying there is is nothing to be done is to become numb to the issue.

You cant change how people think and feel, so without Forcing someone to accept it(you cant short of brainwashing most the time) you cant really do anything about it besides teach the upcoming generation differntly and live unracististly yourself to set an example.

Someone can call you names all they want, its there right. When they do something against the law then you can do something but if I were to call you a dork out on the street in passing. You cant do anything legally, I belive is what he ment.

[CrysG]

There isn't much to be done about racism other than to not be a racist.

What's wrong with that logic is that if you feel like there is nothing to be done it becomes no big deal. Next there is nothing to be done about a cross burning in my yard. Nothing to be done about spray painting things on my door.

Saying there is is nothing to be done is to become numb to the issue.

You cant change how people think and feel, so without Forcing someone to accept it(you cant short of brainwashing most the time) you cant really do anything about it besides teach the upcoming generation differntly and live unracististly yourself to set an example.

Someone can call you names all they want, its there right. When they do something against the law then you can do something but if I were to call you a dork out on the street in passing. You cant do anything legally, I belive is what he ment.

And don't I have the right to live my life without hearing someone call me names? My point is as it was stated. If you want to turn a blind eye to this, what else are you willing to turn a blind eye too.

[Sportmotor]

And don't I have the right to live my life without hearing someone call me names? My point is as it was stated. If you want to turn a blind eye to this, what else are you willing to turn a blind eye too.

Blind eye too...Crack, hookers, national healthcare, DEEM HOMERS(lolz).

I'd love to live in a happy perfect world of sunshine and candy canes, but it'll never happen. You will be called things. People are mean disgusting creatures to one another and names will always be used, ESSPICALLY if you react so strongly against them it fuels the fire.
You have to know when to pick your fights, and when ones are worth fighting.
Dork

Best way to fight racists, education the upcoming generations of children to be better then those before them.
Cant change people who are racists. They will always be them. They have a right to be stupid and say stupid things online like they will, and on the street.
As much as I oppose you got to take the good with the bad of the US Constitution of Freedom of Speech.