Justice of the Peace Will Not Marry Interracial Couples

Interracial couple denied marriage license in La.


Insisting he is no racist, a Louisiana Justice of the Peace refused to marry an inter-racial couple, and says this is a matter of principle with him.

He points out that the children of such unions are often rejected by both families.

The bride to be, the Caucasian, is to enter a graduate program in minority studies. To say she is perplexed is an understatement. She plans to file a complaint.

NEW ORLEANS — A 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."
Article here

What is your point, boo?

Is it mandatory that he marry everyone?

I can pick and chose who I perform ceremonies for, why can't he?

I read that. It really surprised me that this was happening in 2009.

Just heard it on the news and looked it up online because I just caught the last part of the news item.

I do think it's a bit strange in this day and age. Though I am very aware of how slowly we as humans change.

I mean this is one guy refusing to marry interracial couples. It's not like we don't already have millions upon millions of bi-racial children who already have bi-racial children of their own. Just very strange to me.

I also never understood how one says they are not racist, yet they don't want mixing. Makes no sense to me. So what, we never bother to evolve socially because some people can't handle bi-racial children or adults. I think some folks should really get over their archaic thinking. It's a poor excuse that children are harmed by it. Children are harmed in many ways, but that is the least of a childs problems.. Maybe I am missing something.

Especially now, President Obama is a good example of how NOT a problem it is if we as human beings give up our hang ups. NO?

Thank you!

If you spend your days looking for something that offends you, you will find it!

You talking to me? I don't spend my days searching for things that might offend me. Hell I do that in one click of my Mingle politics bookmark.. Grin! Takes me no time at all, and I still have the rest of the day to do other things.

I just didn't hear the whole news piece and thought I would look it up on line to see what it was about.

I don't know if it is mandatory, wasn't really thinking about that part of it. Interesting question though. Wouldn't he be obligated as a Justice of the Peace, or no? I really don't know the answer to that question. It's not a private business or is it?

no, it is a general statement...

posting articles without any opinion attached is ineffectual.

thanks for adding your input

Responding for myself only - I am a public official, and yes I can pick and chose whose ceremonies I want to perform.

Naww...I just turned on the computer and it was on my homepage. lol

A couple of years ago a county outside of St. Louis wouldn't allow an unmarried, inter-racial couple to buy a house. They had been together for years and had children. I think it was eventually resolved. I'm not sure though.

That county was saying that it was more about them being unmarried then inter-racial. They said that wasn't their image.

I didn't realize anyone could mandate such stuff anymore in this day and age. Makes no sense. There are so many combo babies out there, NOT having any trouble from peers, so this is nonsense to say the least. They should go elsewhere to wed and snub the JOP.

Actually I normally do add an opinion. You guys are so impatient. Gimme some time will ya.. It takes me a bit of time just to post the article, include the link... I usually add the response with in it, but if I have more to say then just one sentence I take my some time to think about it first then add it as a response. You just didn't give me enough time.

It is kind of strange that it is 2009 and this still goes on.

boo, simply by posting, it is obviously evident that you HAD an opinion. I don't know what that other person's issue is, nor do I care. I got it!! LOL

That is stupid for him to do that...I mean if there was a good reason I would understand his decision...But I see they had no reason NOT to get married

Maybe he remembered O.J. Simpson saga......etc .

Huh....double post .