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  • Racism and interracial couples in U.S.

    By MARY FOSTER, Associated Press Writer Mary Foster, Associated Press Writer – 26 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."
    I'm not a racist, but . . . .

    So ****ing what if this ****ing judge has black "friends." In this day and age, racists know that it's politically incorrect to openly express their racist garbage, so ****s like this judge find other ways to be a good little racist in today's society.

    Oh, and I officially declare that what I have posted for my own thoughts pass as sufficient commentary.
    A lot of Republicans are not racist, but a lot of racists are Republican.

  • #2
    You realize you're BAMing about Louisiana, don't you?
    I came upon a barroom full of bad Salon pictures in which men with hats on the backs of their heads were wolfing food from a counter. It was the institution of the "free lunch" I had struck. You paid for a drink and got as much as you wanted to eat. For something less than a rupee a day a man can feed himself sumptuously in San Francisco, even though he be a bankrupt. Remember this if ever you are stranded in these parts. ~ Rudyard Kipling, 1891

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    • #3
      It is my experience that very few people think they are racist; and most of the ones who do, are actually less so than most of the ones who don't.
      <Reverend> IRC is just multiplayer notepad.
      I like your SNOOPY POSTER! - While you Wait quote.

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      • #4
        Bardwell suggested the couple go to another justice of the peace in the parish who agreed to marry them.
        So what's the problem? Yes people are idiots. Just because they are a justice of the peace doesn't stop them from being idiots.

        He is right about a couple things though:

        He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships
        This is very true. Racism is a two way street.
        Scouse Git (2) La Fayette Adam Smith Solomwi and Loinburger will not be forgotten.
        "Remember the night we broke the windows in this old house? This is what I wished for..."
        2015 APOLYTON FANTASY FOOTBALL CHAMPION!

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        • #5
          I knew a guy that said that cardinals and blue jays were both beautiful, but they didn't mix. He was racist.
          Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.
          "Hating America is something best left to Mobius. He is an expert Yank hater.
          He also hates Texans and Australians, he does diversify." ~ Braindead

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          • #6
            Originally posted by DanS View Post
            You realize you're BAMing about Louisiana, don't you?
            What's the bald assertion about LA in his post?
            12-17-10 Mohamed Bouazizi NEVER FORGET
            Stadtluft Macht Frei
            Killing it is the new killing it
            Ultima Ratio Regum

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            • #7
              I think that makes him ornithist.
              <Reverend> IRC is just multiplayer notepad.
              I like your SNOOPY POSTER! - While you Wait quote.

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              • #8
                Bald assertions? I'm not sure what you mean.

                Accusing Louisiana of having race issues is about like clubbing a baby seal.
                I came upon a barroom full of bad Salon pictures in which men with hats on the backs of their heads were wolfing food from a counter. It was the institution of the "free lunch" I had struck. You paid for a drink and got as much as you wanted to eat. For something less than a rupee a day a man can feed himself sumptuously in San Francisco, even though he be a bankrupt. Remember this if ever you are stranded in these parts. ~ Rudyard Kipling, 1891

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                • #9
                  State stereotypes.
                  “As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
                  "Capitalism ho!"

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by DanS View Post
                    Bald assertions? I'm not sure what you mean.

                    Accusing Louisiana of having race issues is about like clubbing a baby seal.
                    BAM stands for "bald assertion man".

                    How were you using it?
                    12-17-10 Mohamed Bouazizi NEVER FORGET
                    Stadtluft Macht Frei
                    Killing it is the new killing it
                    Ultima Ratio Regum

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                    • #11
                      Reminds me of the 30 GOP senators who just voted to support gang rape.
                      Apolyton's Grim Reaper 2008, 2010 & 2011
                      RIP lest we forget... SG (2) and LaFayette -- Civ2 Succession Games Brothers-in-Arms

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by DanS View Post
                        You realize you're BAMing about Louisiana, don't you?
                        So we're not suppose to discuss race issues as they come up just because it happened in a Southern state?

                        I didn't post this because I'm shocked about where this happened. But if I had any surprise, it would be that any government official can still get away with denying marriage license to interracial couples in this day and age in U.S.
                        A lot of Republicans are not racist, but a lot of racists are Republican.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by MrFun View Post
                          I'm not a racist, but . . . .

                          So ****ing what if this ****ing judge has black "friends.":
                          He's not a judge, by the way. He's a justice of the peace. There's a difference. And I think most people get tipped off when he says 'I let black people use my bathroom', or 'I don't marry interracial couples.'
                          "You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: when men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks and we hang them. Build your funeral pyre; beside it, my carpenters will build a gallows. You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours."--General Sir Charles James Napier

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                          • #14
                            He's not a judge, by the way. He's a justice of the peace. There's a difference.


                            Depending on the jurisdiction, JPs may or may not be judges.
                            12-17-10 Mohamed Bouazizi NEVER FORGET
                            Stadtluft Macht Frei
                            Killing it is the new killing it
                            Ultima Ratio Regum

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                            • #15
                              They may be, but are not required to be.
                              Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.
                              "Hating America is something best left to Mobius. He is an expert Yank hater.
                              He also hates Texans and Australians, he does diversify." ~ Braindead

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