Interracial couples certainly don't have it easy as far as acceptance but when does it go to far? In Louisiana there is a justice of the peace that is now refusing to marry any interracial couples. Here is my question do you think he has the right as a justice of the peace to turn them down? Do you agree with him?
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.
I'm thinking he is a gov. employee so as far as I know yes he is breaking the law. I would think if he was a minister or something then yes he could turn away but not as a JOP. It will be interesting to watch.
If he's a private-practicing priest or whatever though, be my guest...that's separation of church and state. I may not agree with that but it's his right if he is not a govn't employee.
He claims hes done this a couple of times before, and he's still practicing, so now I'm wondering if he was in trouble for doing it before and if not, why not, if he is breaking the law...
I'm guessing the other couples were probably pissed but walked away and found someone else. This is probably the first couple to go Whoa your wrong dude and fight him about it. He should have married them, its not his decision or place to judge them IMO
Keith Bardwell quit with a one-sentence statement to Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne and no explanation of his decision: “I do hereby resign the office of Justice of the Peace for the Eighth Ward of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, effective November 3, 2009.”
you can read more HERE
Single & Not Looking
Well I think the issue here is, is he breaking the law by not marrying them? If not, then I think it's his perogative to decline, if he doesn't feel comfortable doing it then he shouldn't be forced to. I don't believe there is such a law, if I'm wrong please correct me.