Louisiana JP rejects interracial couple
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| Fri, 10-16-2009 - 11:23am |
Justice of the peace rejects interracial couple
http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=11323963
HAMMOND, LA (WAFB) - A Louisiana justice of the peace says he believes interracial marriages are morally wrong and recently refused to perform the ceremony between a black man and white woman.
According to Keith Bardwell of the Tangipahoa Parish eighth ward, it is his right not to marry Beth Humphrey and Terence McKay. According to McKay, the couple had been looking forward to their wedding for a long time. He said he's still in shock that his dream wedding turned into a racial nightmare.
"It's disheartening," he said. "Seriously, it's 2009 and we are still dealing with a form of racism."
According to the Louisiana Judicial Code of Conduct, "A judge shall perform judicial duties without bias or prejudice." When contacted by phone the justice would only say he stands by his decision and it is his right not to marry an interracial couple because he believes it is wrong. According to McKay, Bardwell is saying 99 percent of interracial marriages end up in divorce.
Pat Morris with the Hammond NAACP said she spoke to the organization's national headquarters in Baltimore and is calling for Bardwell to resign. He has been a justice of the peace since 1976 and his current term doesn't expire until Dec. 31, 2014.
After being denied by Bardwell, the couple traveled to Tickfaw and was married by Justice of the Peace Terri Crosby. She said she considers herself performing a privilege given to her by the state of Louisiana. McKay said he will talk with Beth about where they will take their fight, but he has no plans to speak to Bardwell.
"Good luck. I wish him the best. I don't wish him harm, but he was wrong," McKay said.



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They did go to another JP & were married.
As far as the JP in the OP...he agreed to the Code of Conduct which specifically prohibits him from discrimination.
"Gee...and here so many people believe discrimination no longer exists in our country... ;-)"
That's exactly what I thought when I read this article.
http://voices.kansascity.com/node/6239
Some Americans are giving attaboys Saturday to white justice of the peace Keith Bardwell, who recently refused to issue a license for an interracial marriage in Louisiana.
And the celebration of Bardwell's actions ought to be as disturbing as what he did in the first place.
Critics all the way from the ACLU and including Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana have called for Bardwell's resignation or firing.
But he has refused to step aside, as of mid-Saturday.
And you can find all kinds of support for Bardwell on blog sites. Two popular reasons: He's "right" not to let the races mix, and he has the right to his opinion.
Sorry, but Bardwell should be immediately fired for refusing to obey state law. It says nothing at all about allowing justices of the peace to refuse to allow interracial marriages.
Plus, the U.S. Supreme Court 42 years ago made it clear that interracial marriages are legal.
The couple were later married by another justice; they are Beth Humphrey, who is white, and Terence McKay, who is black.
Bardwell's explanation -- that interracial marriages are wrong and scar the kids involved in them -- is absurd.
Can you say, Barack Obama?
I'm waiting for those who are going to claim this is not at all racist and that racism doesn't exist.
Yep...I've been wondering where they are too!
I'm not saying he did right. But here's some other situations where "beliefs" come into play on the job.
Nurses who refuse to attend patients who have had or are having abortions.
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