Justice of the peace who refused to marry interracial couple quits
A Conversation about Race relayed news last month about a Louisiana justice of the peace who refused to marry an interracial couple. The Associated Press is reporting today that he has resigned without offering an explanation.
AP reports:
Keith Bardwell, who is white, quit the post 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.”
Bardwell refused to perform the ceremony for Beth Humphrey and Terence McKay because they are of different races.
When questioned about his refusal, Bardwell acknowledged he routinely recuses himself from marrying interracial couples because he believes such marriages cause harm to the couples’ children. In interviews, he said he refers such couples to other justices of the peace, who then perform the ceremony, which happened in this case.
Humphrey has said she and McKay received their marriage license from the parish clerk of court, where they also received a list of people qualified to perform the ceremony. When she called Bardwell’s office to ask about the ceremony on Oct. 6, Humphrey said Bardwell’s wife told her that the justice wouldn’t sign their marriage license because they were a “mixed couple.”
Bardwell didn’t immediately return a call for comment Tuesday about his resignation, which followed calls for his ouster from several public officials, including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu.
Humphrey and McKay have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Bardwell.
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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Steve Parker is the deputy managing editor for news, and oversees the Post-Dispatch's front page. STLtoday's online news editors are on his newsroom team. Parker has been at the paper since September 1980. 
Did anyone hear the Northwest pilots say:
I’ll quit.
Did anyone hear the bankers who set up the present disaster say:
I’ll quit.
Or,did Madoff say:
I’ll quit.
It is the 21st Century and this woman is lost in times gone by.It’s a shame no one has come forward to say:
I appointed her.
What century is this guy living in?! I guess I can respect him for standing up for his convictions. However, his convictions clearly deserve ridicule. He refuses to marry interracial couples because of the harm it causes to their children?! I submit that the only such harm would be caused by bigots such as Mr. Bardwell, and it would be laughable. It would be like refusing to marry two people who wear glasses, because their children might also need glasses and could potentially be referred to by school children as “four eyes.”
“Think of the children!” is an emotional plea in lieu of an actual logical argument.
What did he really do that was wrong? He hurt someone’s feelings. That’s it. He didn’t deny the couple anything. He disagreed with interracial marriages, recused himself, and another judge was able to perform the ceremony the same day. They were not denied any service based on race. I hope that they lose their case and the judge is eventually able to go on with life. He made a bad decision perhaps (every judge has in his life), but there was no racism here as nothing was denied to this interracial couple.
If you want a conversation about race just simply publish a story about a horrible crime with a black offender. That usually brings out the rational and even-tempered St. Louisans to discuss race. (<– sarcasm)
Thanks for doing us all a favor by resigning, Mr. Bardwell. There’s no room for that kind of bigotry in our government.
Now, my advice to the newlyweds; Foget about the lawsuit. Walk away happy in the knowledge that this turd will not hinder any future unions. You are justified in your outrage but will look like greedy blood-suckers if you take this further.
Just my opinion.
AMEN! Halleluiah! Although I do with him the best maybe now the residence of Louisiana can move on with their lives…..together, no matter what their skin color.
It’s time for people to understand that biracial individuals can have a wonderful life, be outstanding citizens who make great contributions to society and can even become president of the United States.
Good riddance to bad rubbish!
Does this man know that a “mixed” child made it to the white house? I am pretty sure society accepts “mixed couples” and their children.
Did you post this on the home page because you are getting no comments on it??
Maybe if you would try posting a new story or use one of the several stories I always send to you guys, you wouldn’t have to beat a story to death like you have done in the past. We don’t need 5 stories covering one topic. Branch out conversation about race! You missed the NAACP story about hanging dummies over Halloween that had no race attached to them yet they were trying to force them to be taken down.
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyID=97144
I sent a story to one of you guys about an article asking why is st. louis never ranked as a progressive city is it because its too black?? http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2009/10/why_is_st_louis_never_ranked_as_a_progressive_city_is_it_because_its_too_black.php
Two brand new stories that have never been covered on this Conversation about Race blog, and I could find tons more, yet you ignore a new story to continue to repeat an old one. You wonder why does no one post comments?? Maybe because everyone said what they had to say the first time around when you ran this article.
Yes he was wrong because it was a part of his job. If he felt that way I am glad he resigned because obviously his belief causes him not to perform his job properly. Now drop the story and go with something fresh.