Louisiana Judge Refuses to Marry Interracial Couple

Lisa Derrick Thursday October 15, 2009 3:40 pm

Setting civil rights back 50 years, Keith Bardwell justice of the peace for Tangipahoa Parish’s 8th Ward has refused to marry an interracial couple, citing concern for the couple’s potential future children. Bardwell told the Hammond Daily Star:

I’m not a racist. I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house. My main concern is for the children…I don’t do interracial marriages because I don’t want to put children in a situation they didn’t bring on themselves. In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer.

Beth Humphrey told the Hammond Daily News that she when she called Bardwell to have him perform the marriage and sign the marriage license, Mrs Bardwell asked if they were an interracial couple. She then told Ms Humphrey, who was discharged from the military a year ago, that JP Bardwell would not perform marriages for interracial couples.

Bardwell told the local paper that no one was preventing the couple from marrying and

his wife even suggested she see Justice of the Peace Terri Crosby of Tickfaw,

Ms Humphrey and her fiance Terence McKay did see JP Crosby who agreed to sign the license.

Bardwell said from his experience, “99 percent of the time” the interracial couple consists of a black man and white woman.

“I find that rather confusing,” he said.

He said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. Bardwell said he came to the conclusion that most black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society.

But he claims he’s not a racist!

Bardwell’s term expires in 2014. Humphreys and McKay intend to consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint. The NAACP and Louisiana ACLU have gotten involved.

Peterr | Thursday October 15, 2009 07:05 pm 1

The New Orleans Times-Picayune has a longer version of the story, including this stunner:

“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.”

I don’t generally read the comments at newspaper sites, but I got sucked in on this one. Most of the locals are ticked off at this yahoo (“Somebody please tell what cave this cracker has been living in. I’m what a lot of people would call a redneck, and I find this guy way out of line.”), but there are a couple of trolls who agree with the Justice of the Peace and are trying to defend him in the comments.

Un-be-lieveable.

Teddy Partridge | Thursday October 15, 2009 07:09 pm 2

Shocking that this came to light the same day our bi-racial President visited Louisiana. I hope this Justice of the Peace is removed from office. He is violating the law, despite his claims that he treats everyone equally.

Funnydiva2002 | Thursday October 15, 2009 08:00 pm 3

I hope, at the very least, this racist, paternal prick makes KO’s Worst Person in the World ~~tomorrow~~ Monday.

FunnyWheelieDiva

dakine01 | Friday October 16, 2009 05:34 am 4

In response to Peterr @ 1

…they use my bathroom…

I wonder if he lets them use the indoor bathroom or if he limits it to the outhouse.

cobernicus | Friday October 16, 2009 10:10 am 5

FYI. When same sex marriage was made legal in CT, the State allowed Justices of the Peace to choose whether or not they wished to perform them. Many of us, but not all, said yes. Personally, I did not think this is a big imposition since the number of JPs is not limited. (My small town has about 40.)

After reading this article, however, I think this option sends a disturbing message and sets a bad example.

tejanarusa | Saturday October 17, 2009 11:59 am 6

Funny how racists these days just don’t perceive themselves as racists.
The biggest tell to me is the part where he says of his observation (based on ????) that most “interracial” couples are black man/white woman – he finds that “sort of confusing.”

Just imagine what’s behind that – why on god’s earth he would find that “confusing”? I can just about hear his thoughts – but won’t write them out.
He absolutely should be removed from office. A valid marriage license is a valid marriage license.
A clergyperson has a right to decline to marry a couple if they don’t conform to his religion’s tenets – but of course, they always have the civil marriage option.
The freakin’ j.p. does NOT get to choose whom he will marry!

Oh, and I wondered how he knew before the couple appeared – his wife actually ASKS everyone who calls to arrange a wedding?
Outrageous just doesn’t cut it. Remove this bastard NOW.