By now we’ve all likely heard the story of Keith Bardwell, the white Justice of the Peace in the southeastern part of Tangipahoa Parish in Louisiana, who refused to issue a marriage license to Beth Humphrey, who is white, and Terence McKay, who is black. What we may not have heard is that he’s been refusing to marry interracial couples for years.
According to Bardwell, when a couple phones him to request a marriage license and ceremony, he always asks first if the couple is interracial. If they are, his normal procedure is to immediately refuse to issue them a license or perform a ceremony, but refer them elsewhere. But Bardwell says he doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about, since no one has complained in the past and that his reasons are noble because he’s worried about the future of children of an interracial union. In his defense, Bardwell said “I’m not a racist. I just don’t believe in mixing the races that way.” He also said he has “piles and piles” of black friends and has married many black couples. He has even let them use his bathroom. Interesting!
How has this man remained an elected and paid government official all these years? How has he flown under the radar and been allowed to apply his own personal beliefs while retaining a public position paid by taxpayers? His latest refusal has prompted calls for an investigation and resignation by civil and constitutional rights groups, including the state’s Legislative Black Caucus. The NAACP and other national civil rights leaders are also becoming involved. Bardwell, a Republican, has been a Justice of the Peace for 34 years. He said he has run without opposition each time, but had already decided not to run again once his current term expires Dec. 31, 2014. With all the national attention he’s getting for such bigoted beliefs in the 21st Century, it’s unlikely he will make it beyond Dec. 31, 2009.
A stark example of a neo-Confederate LOSER who has stayed much too long in his position. But the truth is, I had about the story over the weekend and could not believe it UNTIL I found out that it happened in Louisiana..(sigh)!