[cephas]

As a child of an interracial couple (Hispanic and English) couple who has been , more or less, happily married for almost 50 years I find this beyond offensive and can't believe it is tolerated.


Interracial couple denied marriage license in La.
AP


By MARY FOSTER, Associated Press Writer Mary Foster, Associated Press Writer – Fri Oct 16, 4:50 am ET

NEW ORLEANS – 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."

[stankydank420]

Thats crazy! I cant believe it. I am in an interacial relationship and we have a son together who is 4. I couldnt believe if this happened to us. That judge is crazy. Is her personal opinion allowed to decide their fate like that?

[BrattonBasher]

Black folks use his bathroom??? Do they give warning if they lay a deuce? Are there matches available? Who does Number 2 work for???

[cephas]

Originally Posted by BrattonBasher

Black folks use his bathroom??? Do they give warning if they lay a deuce? Are there matches available? Who does Number 2 work for???

Obviously you miss the point BB!

If you let a black person use your bathroom than there is no way anybody could ever call you a racist!!! My question is does he use it with the black people or does he trust them in the bathroom by themselves....?

Real racists won't let their poo be in the same container as a black person's poo...

The marriage thing has nothing to do with racism...it has everything to do with worrying about the welfare of those poor children....

Reminds me of a boss I had once who told me to not run white people's checks through Chexsystems to verify funds, it cost too much and white people were good for it...But EVERY SINGLE black person had to have their check verified before it could be accepted. He did this not because he was racist, but because statistics show that blacks bounce more checks than whites.....

.....I quit that job when he told me that. Lasted 2 hours.

.....all I can say about this Judge is it is nice (not really) to be constantly reminded that just because someone has education and authority it doesn't mean they are intelligent, or worth a damn as a human being....

[BrattonBasher]

Originally Posted by cephas

Obviously you miss the point BB!

If you let a black person use your bathroom than there is no way anybody could ever call you a racist!!! My question is does he use it with the black people or does he trust them in the bathroom by themselves....?

Real racists won't let their poo be in the same container as a black person's poo...

The marriage thing has nothing to do with racism...it has everything to do with worrying about the welfare of those poor children....

Reminds me of a boss I had once who told me to not run white people's checks through Chexsystems to verify funds, it cost too much and white people were good for it...But EVERY SINGLE black person had to have their check verified before it could be accepted. He did this not because he was racist, but because statistics show that blacks bounce more checks than whites.....

.....I quit that job.

.....all I can say about this Judge is it is nice (not really) to be constantly reminded that just because someone has education and authority it doesn't mean they are intelligent, or worth a damn as a human being....

This judge would certainly draw the line with my family. I doubt ten black folks can smell a bathroom up more than my kids. And they often purposely leave it to be admired by the next user LOL.

In all seriousness this judge shoud apply for another job quick!

[cephas]

From the article I guess he has been a judge for 2 1/2 years...and never married an interracial couple.....I cannot believe he has not been fired.

I honestly thought blatant racism within our government was dealt with 30+ years ago.

Not saying there is no racism in Gov (that would be nice huh?), just saying they try to hide it better since the 60's, this crap is insane....

Not to mention, not marrying interracial couples because the marriages don't last?!!!

Using that logic, marriage in general should be thrown away then....most marriages regardless of race mixture or not, don't last anymore......

I only know two other people who are not children of divorce...... and not one person under 25 who's parents are still together...

At 35, of all my friends who have gotten married, I only have 1 whose marriage is still going...nobody else was able to make ten years....

[db123]

good to know we still live in the 1700s


frankly im not all that shocked that this issue turned up. it was only a matter of time. racism is no less prominent in this day and age, it just manifests in different ways.

but if people stand so strongly in the way of gay marriage, why would you be so shocked that some people will stand in the way of interracial marriage? but maybe thats just my opinion. i personally feel that everyone needs to stay out of each others business. two people getting married, regardless of race or sex, AFFECTS YOUR LIFE IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM!! leave it the fuck alone.

[LemonHerb]

I read this earlier and it's pretty crazy that in this day and age stuff like this still happens.

[cephas]

I'm talking a lot, but this really upsets me... I know racism happens, but this guy really takes the cake. I will be following to see if anything happens to him. In the least he needs to be let go from the state's payroll...

I'd also like to say about Marriage.

Marriage is a personal commitment between 2 people. It is no ones business besides those 2 people... IMO, licenses and all the other government crap is just that crap. A marriage between 2 people is none of the government's damn business. The main reason I have never been married, is as much as I would like to find a woman to make a life long commitment to, I will not file a marriage license. I will have a ceremony, and exchange rings and vows in front of family and friends, I will make a life long commitment....but I will not file with the government to let them know with whom I am sharing my life. It is not their business and I find the arbitrary controls placed upon it by them offensive. For some reason most of the girls I have dated call me afraid of commitment because I think like this...they say it is an excuse, but it isn't....and I don't compromise my beliefs without a good reason, and this is a big belief....I think that all the controls and expectations things like marriage licenses create are harmful, so I will not support them.

For the short time gay marriage was legal in Cali, my feeling changed a bit....I thought perhaps people will begin to see it is about commitment and love, not legality, sex, or race...... but then, well you all know....

[db123]

Originally Posted by cephas

I'm talking a lot, but this really upsets me... I know racism happens, but this guy really takes the cake. I will be following to see if anything happens to him. In the least he needs to be let go from the state's payroll...

I'd also like to say about Marriage.

Marriage is a personal commitment between 2 people. It is no ones business besides those 2 people... IMO, licenses and all the other government crap is just that crap. A marriage between 2 people is none of the government's damn business. The main reason I have never been married, is as much as I would like to find a woman to make a life long commitment to, I will not file a marriage license. I will have a ceremony, and exchange rings and vows in front of family and friends, I will make a life long commitment....but I will not file with the government to let them know with whom I am sharing my life. It is not their business and I find the arbitrary controls placed upon it by them offensive. For some reason most of the girls I have dated call me afraid of commitment because I think like this...they say it is an excuse, but it isn't....and I don't compromise my beliefs without a good reason, and this is a big belief....I think that all the controls and expectations things like marriage licenses create are harmful, so I will not support them.

For the short time gay marriage was legal in Cali, my feeling changed a bit....I thought perhaps people will begin to see it is about commitment and love, not legality, sex, or race...... but then, well you all know....

well said, cephas

[ps-med]

This is Louisiana. Apparently if you know Black people and you "Let them" use "Your" toilet, you are not a racist. I know that New Orleans and Louisiana still have some racism but I would expect better from a public official.

From personal experience I know that Black and White couples are treated worse than Latino and White or Asian and White couples. I always find the levels of bias to be facinating, it seems like there is a heirarchy of what is OK and what is taboo.

[shecky7]

If the state were smart it would allow inter-species marriages to raise revenue. I have had my eye on a Willow tree over at Forest Lawn for years. Yowza!

[ps-med]

Originally Posted by shecky7

If the state were smart it would allow inter-species marriages to raise revenue. I have had my eye on a Willow tree over at Forest Lawn for years. Yowza!

How would your proposed inter-species marriage raise revenue?

[BrattonBasher]

Originally Posted by ps-med

How would your proposed inter-species marriage raise revenue?

It would save alot on tree-trimming.

[shecky7]

Originally Posted by ps-med

How would your proposed inter-species marriage raise revenue?

registration fees of course!



And imagine the revenue generated with the litigation possibilities of representing a wild badger in a divorce proceding. Wait, I guess some do now!

[ScrewyLewy]

Will this post stick if I say that the judge is a sick piece of donkey shit that should loose his job. My apologies to and donkey I may have upset with my comment. Hey shecky7 I have sometimes been referred to as being dumb as a stump (could be a willow tree stump). That do anything for ya? LOL

[shecky7]

Originally Posted by ScrewyLewy

Will this post stick if I say that the judge is a sick piece of donkey shit that should loose his job. My apologies to and donkey I may have upset with my comment. Hey shecky7 I have sometimes been referred to as being dumb as a stump (could be a willow tree stump). That do anything for ya? LOL

¥es it dooooooeeees! He probably will lose his job. Some people were not cut out for their chosen profession. Wait, check that. MOST people are not cut out for their chosen profession!

And don't worry most donkeys can't understand what they read anyhow.

But seriously this judge didn't even know history. There never was such a thing as a marriage license until after the civil war and they were issued expressly FOR interracial marriages. Now that is really ironic.

[kennabis]

this thread stinks of human, and animal excrement! and what's with all these branches all over the place?!? it looks like someone had their way with willow again

this is for the wacked judge , a group of rainbow smilies, givin each other a reach around! they learned it at a masonic lodge meeting.....

i'm givin back my effin marriage liscence, i made a mistake! i wont ever need the state as a surrogate wife for phucks sake what was i thinkin?!?!

next

[stanley]

I have been struggling with what to say about this since it first hit the news.


first, I nearly had a heart attack the first time I saw the headline/story.

LA judge refuses to marry interracial couple....

WTF??? In 2009 in Los Angeles a judge wont do WHAT?????????

-----------------

Then I actually read it and saw it was Louisiana.

not that that made it any more believable.

Cephas- he was a Justice of the Peace for THIRTY-FOUR years.... not 2 1/2.

Can you imagine the wisdom he has dispensed from the bench in three+ fucking decades?

So, like I said, I have been struggling with what to say... and all I can come up with is the thought that THANK GAWD the story hit the news media....THANK GAWD it hit the internet....THANK GAWD it hit the blogoshere....

Because it is shining a VERY bright light on "institutional" racism.

We may not be able to change some people's minds about race. Some folks, I guess will just never be able to evolve far enough to get past their bias.

But, thru incidents like this we can at the very least root out institutional racism, hold it up to the intense scrutiny it deserves and eliminate its practitioners.

This guy wont stay a JOP past the end of the month, I am guessing... even in Louisiana outright public bigotry by a judge wont stand.

And, hopefully, they make an example of him... and maybe, just maybe the next guy who thinks its OK to be a bigot on the bench will change his mind, and join the human race.

[CarlSagan]

I heard that this redneck just lost his job. I hope they take him to civil court to and sue him for whatever he is worth. Apparently he has done this before, but it seems that the other couples he denied were complacent...

It's worth noting the supreme courts decision in Loving V Virginia (1967), which ended racial discrimination in marriage licenses, is based on the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment. The court wrote (thanks to wikipedia here...):

"Marriage is one of the 'basic civil rights of man,' fundamental to our very existence and survival.... To deny this fundamental freedom on so unsupportable a basis as the racial classifications embodied in these statutes, classifications so directly subversive of the principle of equality at the heart of the Fourteenth Amendment, is surely to deprive all the State's citizens of liberty without due process of law. The Fourteenth Amendment requires that the freedom of choice to marry not be restricted by invidious racial discrimination. Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual and cannot be infringed by the State."

substitute race/racial sex/sexual orientation, and you have a legal basis for same-sex marriage.

The dichotomy between Black and White is as false as Male and Female. Just as there are "multiracial" people who do not clearly fit into the Black/White framework, there are human beings who fall outside of the heteronormative false dichotomy of "normal" man/woman.

In Texas, same-sex marriage is illegal, but there are "technically" same-sex marriages. In Texas, gender is legally defined by chromosomes (men=xy, women=xx). However, some individuals have a "male" identity and "male" anatomy, and XX chromosomes. Likewise, some individuals think of themselves as female, have female anatomy, and have XY chromosomes. Many of these people aren't aware that there legal gender (based on an outdated understanding of biology) does not match the identity or anatomy. And these folks get married. Thus, in Texas a "woman" can marry a "man" but if you actually looked at there chromosomes, in some cases a "man" is married to a "man".

It is a basic denial of human rights to prevent to adults from freely entering into marriage, whether on the basis of their so-called "race" or "gender".

Have a nice day,

CS

[ACHRISCASTRO]

Originally Posted by LemonHerb

I read this earlier and it's pretty crazy that in this day and age stuff like this still happens.

Yeah its bogus. I work in a car dealer and when they see blacks they dont help them alot of times and call them miyugas. And with asians they call them Mr Robata. Beleive it, racism is very alive in this day and age. Im not a racist Im Mexican German Irish! And a little guatemalan LOL and I date girls of all races ha ha ha.

[Eazy]

My cousins are 1/2 black, 1/2 white (mixed Russian, Austrian, Polish, Jewish).

Both my cousins are extremely successful and very well liked by both communities. She's been station manager of beat radio in SF and then in LA. Now, she works for the superior court in SF. My cuz is in school becoming an organic genetic engineer. My aunty is a retired SF social worker, and he passed many years ago due to toxins in his environment that killed him and many other people of African descent.

When I lived in New York, on Long Island, 1973...my aunty and uncle moved in to our home between them moving out of an apartment and into a house. ...the racist neighbors drew up a petition to remove him because he was black, ...a legal petition...1973, my uncle. scary time. them's the folks whose into to lynchings and beatings and such. assholes.

My uncle was well received by most of the family...but...my grandma said; "I refuse to hold a ****** baby in my arms." ...she went on to love these children fiercely and she frequently visited them and they visited her. She got over her brainwashing and let her heart be her guide.

That judge should be fired.

[VooDoo Chile]

I dunno if somebody mentioned this already, cause I just skimmed this thread, so if this is a repeat, forgives me y'all!

Anyways, the funny/tragic thing about this is Obama was in Louisiana that day. He shouldda rolled by that judge's pad to have a lil talkie talk 'bout society's acceptence o' biracial folks.

[cephas]

That wasn't brought up.....damn...

oh well..I guess Obama still hasn't let me down as bad as other politicians...

[tooweirdtolivetooraretodie]

Brought to you by the same state that put David Duke in office, even with the campaign posters with him in his klan robe. I don't know what the racial breakdown is in Louisiana ? But a large chunk of the population liked him, klan robes and all.