Keith Bardwell and interracial marriage
Why Bardwell, a Louisiana justice of the peace, refused to marry an interracial couple
Louisiana justice of the peace Keith Bardwell says he won't marry interracial couples no matter what the law says. (Corbis/Philip James Corwin)
"Keith Bardwell wants desperately to give his racism a happy face," said Andrew Belonsky in Gawker. The white Louisiana justice of the peace refused to give an interracial couple—Beth Humphrey and Terence McKay—a marriage license because he said both blacks and whites would reject their mixed-race babies. Bardwell says he has "piles and piles of black friends" whom he marries and lets use his bathroom! See, he's not a bigot—just a good Samaritan!
Racists use excuses like that all the time, said Ryan Peterson in RightJuris.com. Keith Bardwell is dreaming if he thinks anyone will believe he's not prejudiced because "he treats all interracial couples the same, like dirt." But the bottom line is that Bardwell is putting himself above Louisiana law, which places no racial restrictions on people wishing to marry, so he needs to be removed from office.
"For the sake of argument," said Michael Merritt in PoliGazette, "I’ll take the unpopular position," and ask why Keith Bardwell should be compelled to marry interracial couples. Yes, it's "wrong," and Louisiana law says Beth Humphrey and Terence McKay have every right to get married—but why does Bardwell have to preside over the ceremony if it goes against his beliefs? He's only making the same arguments gay-marriage opponents make. "If we allow marriage officials to deny their services to gay couples, we must also do this for interracial couples, as well as white couples."
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170 Comments
Posted by Linda, Friday, October 16, 2009, 10:01 am I thinks it's great that Justice of the peace Keith Bardwell refused to marry the interracial couple. There are so many health concerns for future children that nobody wants to consider. People are so thoughtless and selfcentered today. Besides, if God wanted everyone to be gray he would have made them that way. Good going Mr Bardwell !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Linda
Posted by Tito, Friday, October 16, 2009, 10:04 am Are you serious bitch?
Posted by Tito, Friday, October 16, 2009, 10:04 am Are you serious bitch?
Posted by Sophia, Friday, October 16, 2009, 10:07 am Linda, you're an idiot. Your thoughts make no sense. Everyone has health concerns, regardless of race. If we go by your nonsense, no one should get married. God did not intend for people to make decisions off of ignorance.
Posted by Gary A Bayton, Friday, October 16, 2009, 10:07 am Its too bad in this day and age that there is so much ignorance left in this world, my Father was a black man from Alabama, my mother was a white woman from Germany, they married in 1958, this past April they celebrated 50yrs of marriage, not only that but I have an older sister who is sucessful and married to a white man, 25 yrs nowwith 5 great kids, a brother married to a white women 13 yrs3 kids, and I am married to a white woman 2yrs1kid, its amazing how people can be disillusioned, and ignorant enough to not know how racist they are
Posted by Liezl, Friday, October 16, 2009, 10:14 am I am white and my husband is black. We have the most beautiful litte girl. She has olive toned skin and jet black hair and big brown eyes. She is NOT any different from any other child. Linda YOU have some nerve to run your mouth like that. You should be very careful about what you say. You are obviously not open minded and typically racist. STFU! Keith Bardwell for someone that is supposed to do God's work you are LOUSY! You are a hipocrite. You are not ALLOWED to judge YOU should know this! Bastard!
Posted by Arthur, Friday, October 16, 2009, 10:15 am Maybe the groom would consider some treatment to have his skin done more white like Michel Jackson, maybe justice would consider ??? seriously ! it's 2009 !! people WAKE UP !!! Obama is a president ! people are free to do anything !!
Posted by Gary A Bayton, Friday, October 16, 2009, 10:15 am To the linda woman out there, there are thousands of interracial men women and children out there and most of the idiots like you cant tell us apart, some are in pro sports and other like my sister modeled in New York and then got her Masters Degree to show the ignorant lindas of the world that we are out there we are healthy normal citizens and you cant tell us apart, so be careful linda a couple of my Nephews are blond and blue eyed, you may bump into one of us and get the shock of your life!!!!!!
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