Interracial couple denied marriage license in La. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 10-15-2009, 08:46 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091015/...rracial_rebuff

By MARY FOSTER, Associated Press Writer Mary Foster, Associated Press Writer – 48 mins ago

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."

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."

(This version corrects the date of the Supreme Court ruling.)

Retro4Life · 10-15-2009, 10:55 PM

With all the real problems facing the world today, why are so many of us still obsessed with race? It's so disheartening to realize that we haven't gotten over this stuff, that in fact, we might never get over it.

People of Earth...move ON, already!

catlover79 · 10-15-2009, 11:19 PM

I completely agree. My dad and some other members of my family are against interracial relationships, but I'm not. As long as the couple loves each other and are both at the age of consent, who cares?

Retro4Life · 10-15-2009, 11:29 PM

I agree.

It'd be different if the success rate of same race couples were anything to crow about, but the last time I looked...it ain't.

I think interracial couples will face unique challenges, but so does everyone else; couples with different economic, religious and social backgrounds. If you start deciding who can and can't pair up based on the fact that they will have problems, you might as well outlaw marriage.

JT · 10-15-2009, 11:55 PM

Be it ever so humble, there's nooooo place like hooome...

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 10-16-2009, 02:07 AM

This crap is still going on? Really? What an idiot.

MickeyMac · 10-16-2009, 11:51 AM

I can tell you as a black man that racism is alive and well in the United States. Not all the problems got solved during the civil rights era.

Doodyville10019 · 10-16-2009, 12:55 PM

It's really amazing to me that we still have bigots like the guy in Louisiana in this day and age. It's even harder to believe this guy is a justice of the peace.

LuLu Rogers · 10-16-2009, 01:14 PM

I have to say, I live in an area where there is still a lot of racism, as much as I hate to admit, it even exists in my own family, but I myself love all people, no matter what their skin color. I think this guy in Louisiana is totally WRONG!!

Retro4Life · 10-16-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu Rogers

I have to say, I live in an area where there is still a lot of racism, as much as I hate to admit, it even exists in my own family, but I myself love all people, no matter what their skin color. I think this guy in Louisiana is totally WRONG!!

There's prejudice in just about every family, I'd say, and honestly, there's probably some in every PERSON. But we can resist that old, outdated pull with the fresh air of knowledge and an open heart. In the old days, that was just the way most people thought. It was a way of forming identity by having groups of "us" and "them" based on ultimately shallow things like skin color. I don't begrudge anyone of an older generation for being a bit hung up on race, because in those days you were seriously rocking the boat to think otherwise.

Today it's a different story. There's so much mingling of races in work, neighborhoods, schools, etc, that if by now you still think that one race is 'better' than another, that's just silly.

This guy may not hate blacks, he may just be misguided enough to think he needs to 'protect' people from what he feels is a doomed relationship. It's not his place to make that call, but in his heart he thinks he's right. And it's sad.

People are basically the same, regardless of color. We all need shelter, food, water, work, love, etc. Obviously there are some huge cultural differences in this world, but the color of your skin doesn't mean anything deeper than the color of your skin.

If someone is lucky enough to find someone they love and that loves them (many, many don't) the minor bump in the road that race presents shouldn't derail the whole journey.

catlover79 · 10-16-2009, 04:10 PM

While his heart may be in the right place, it's none of his business about "any future children" this couple may have. As long as the couple is of consenting age, are not blood related, and love each other, on what legal grounds does he have to not perform the ceremony? Isn't it, like, HIS JOB??? Just out of curiousity, can he be penalized for this?

MickeyMac · 10-16-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu Rogers

I have to say, I live in an area where there is still a lot of racism, as much as I hate to admit, it even exists in my own family, but I myself love all people, no matter what their skin color. I think this guy in Louisiana is totally WRONG!!

Not just the south. There is racsim right here in Michigan. I wont go into details but I have seen it firsthand.

MickeyMac · 10-16-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

While his heart may be in the right place, it's none of his business about "any future children" this couple may have. As long as the couple is of consenting age, are not blood related, and love each other, on what legal grounds does he have to not perform the ceremony? Isn't it, like, HIS JOB??? Just out of curiousity, can he be penalized for this?

This judge should be fired for this.

Retro4Life · 10-16-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

This judge should be fired for this.

Yeah he's violating some kind of discrimination law, I'd imagine.

So sad that we have to even waste breath on this, after all these years.

OH Nuts! · 10-16-2009, 10:28 PM

Yeah this justice of the peace sounds perfectly whacko, I'm surprised he hasn't suffered some kind of legal repercussions as well; he really should.

10-15-2009, 08:46 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Interracial couple denied marriage license in La. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091015/...rracial_rebuff By MARY FOSTER, Associated Press Writer Mary Foster, Associated Press Writer – 48 mins ago 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." 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." (This version corrects the date of the Supreme Court ruling.)
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

10-15-2009, 10:55 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	With all the real problems facing the world today, why are so many of us still obsessed with race? It's so disheartening to realize that we haven't gotten over this stuff, that in fact, we might never get over it. People of Earth...move ON, already!
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

10-15-2009, 11:29 PM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I agree. It'd be different if the success rate of same race couples were anything to crow about, but the last time I looked...it ain't. I think interracial couples will face unique challenges, but so does everyone else; couples with different economic, religious and social backgrounds. If you start deciding who can and can't pair up based on the fact that they will have problems, you might as well outlaw marriage.
	Last edited by Retro4Life; 10-16-2009 at 03:43 PM.

10-15-2009, 11:55 PM	#5
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	Be it ever so humble, there's nooooo place like hooome...
	__________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrEbJBFWIPk

10-16-2009, 02:07 AM	#6
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	This crap is still going on? Really? What an idiot.
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

10-15-2009, 11:19 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I completely agree. My dad and some other members of my family are against interracial relationships, but I'm not. As long as the couple loves each other and are both at the age of consent, who cares?

10-16-2009, 11:51 AM	#7
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	I can tell you as a black man that racism is alive and well in the United States. Not all the problems got solved during the civil rights era.

10-16-2009, 12:55 PM	#8
Doodyville10019 Meet my new friend Sparkie! Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 08, 2008 Location: Competition Square, located in Doodyville Park Posts: 877	It's really amazing to me that we still have bigots like the guy in Louisiana in this day and age. It's even harder to believe this guy is a justice of the peace.
	__________________ Hi! Hey! Hello again, here we go again!

10-16-2009, 01:14 PM	#9
LuLu Rogers Colonel Brandon Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 23, 2004 Location: The Hogwarts Dungeons Posts: 11,013	I have to say, I live in an area where there is still a lot of racism, as much as I hate to admit, it even exists in my own family, but I myself love all people, no matter what their skin color. I think this guy in Louisiana is totally WRONG!!
	__________________ -Lauren- "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death."-Professor Severus Snape

10-16-2009, 04:10 PM	#11
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	While his heart may be in the right place, it's none of his business about "any future children" this couple may have. As long as the couple is of consenting age, are not blood related, and love each other, on what legal grounds does he have to not perform the ceremony? Isn't it, like, HIS JOB??? Just out of curiousity, can he be penalized for this?

10-16-2009, 10:28 PM	#15
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Yeah this justice of the peace sounds perfectly whacko, I'm surprised he hasn't suffered some kind of legal repercussions as well; he really should.