Despite the fact that interracial marriage has been legal in all states since 1967, Keith Bardwell, a Louisiana justice of the peace refuses to issue marriage licenses to biracial couples.
Out of concern for their children.
What the eff? I say. Did I read that wrong?
According the Huffington Post article by Mary Foster, Mr. Bardwell doesn't believe he is a racist. After all, he lets black people use his bathroom.
Please tell me I read that wrong.
"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."
I think that maybe someone needs to sit down with Mr. Bardwell and explain to him that THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN THE WORLD, you know--that guy we call Mr. President and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize--has a white mother and a black father. Whether or not you agree with his politics--you can't say that he hasn't done well for himself. Apparently, there are at least a few people who have been able to "accept a child from such a marriage".
Mr. Bardwell, the best way to show your concern for the children is to stop encouraging bigotry. If we want to transcend racial inequality, we have to stop making race an issue.
Love is love. People are people. Skin is skin.
There is no need to back track on this country's racist past...we are having trouble with marrying the gays nowadays...lets stay focused.
ReplyDeleteWe really need to guard against interracial marriage. After all, the children that come out of them might grow up to be doctors, lawyers, singers, actors, national television news anchors, or heck, even the President of the United States. My gawd. We wouldn't want that!
ReplyDeleteOMG that's crazy. I continue to be floored by people.
ReplyDeleteUn-freaking-believable. And this guy still has a job?
ReplyDeleteOf course, I have no idea if Bardwell actually does feel concerned about the plight of multi-racial people in America, but I'm pretty sure someone needs to explain that more or less outlawing interracial marriage does kind of... you know... makes life more difficult for people. I'm just sayin'.
Or he could just be a racist a$$hat using "the children" as an excuse for his actions.
Either way, so not cool.
There ought to be a legal precedent somewhere for that Justice to consult.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Loving v. Virginia would be a good place to start?
Thanks for blogging about this Gwen.
Is it really legal for him to decide which licenses to sign and which not to sign on that basis?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want this guy's signature on my own license, I don't care what color of person I was marrying.
As someone in an interracial marriage with children, I couldn't agree more Gwen. It's sad and disheartening that this is still an issue for some in this day and age.
ReplyDeletethe whole this is disgustingly backwoods and I wish people would grow up or shut up.
ReplyDeleteEdwin, this bigotry is a prime example for why homosexuals are having a hard time getting the right to marry in the states that are still holding on to the man/woman=the only type of marriage. People still can't get past skin color. Yes, it's another form of prejudice. Yes, it comes down to your human right not your skin color not your sexual preference. But if people like this still live and breath and are in positions to do this, than the fight for equality for ALL is still an ideal.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how this can happen in this day and age. It made the news, but can this bigot actually prevent this couple from getting married? Can he be allowed to abuse his position of power and retain that postion? I understand that living my life in a very liberal environment in California I am somewhat insulated from more conservative and less tolerant populations, but really???? I am shocked and disgusted.
ReplyDelete