Judge Keith Bardwell of Louisiana refuses to marry interracial couples
Oh, isn’t this cute! Louisiana Judge, Keith Bardwell is stuck in the year 1820. Check this out:
A 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.
43 Responses “Judge Keith Bardwell of Louisiana refuses to marry interracial couples”
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Get this guy disbarred!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He should be stripped of his position as justice of the peace.
What in the world? This moronic man is living in the wrong era!
Absolutely he’s in the wrong era. Poor guy is in a time warp.
Is the judge black or white… blacks can act bigoted also.
By the way I’ black
@ Carwin – Don’t bring that mess in here! First of all, you are calling blacks bigots; YET, you are the only one asking the race of the judge. Secondly, you are NOT black.
Again, don’t bring that mess here.
The law states that the government cannot discriminate against people because of race, since he is a elected offical by the people or by another ofical then this is really a lot more serious then everyone thinks.
Why is he still a judge?
And if these are only his views on marriage, imagine if you sit before him as a defendant!
And why do these ignant racist buttholes always say, “I have black friends!”?
And no Carwin is not black because he would have seen the “I have black friends” comment in the article above and known that black people don’t go around advertising that they have black friends.
Lynn, Carwin clearly said blacks can act biggoted also, not blacks are biggoted.
Most would assume that the judge is white, based on the fact that he says he would marry black people and is friends with black people, that implies he is white, however it does not say what his race is. I think him saying what he said being black actually would be very strange. But Carwin was not calling anybody a bigot, only stating that black people are equally capable of being bigots. Are you implying that black people are better than white people, only white people can be bigots? Do you know Carwin, and know for a fact that he is not black? Why can’t he be black? By the way, I am white
LYNN’s RESPONSE: I have a great idea. Since Carwin can speak for himself, let’s allow Carwin to do so. And since you are not Carwin’s defender and protector, you are free to step aside and allow grown folks to take care of their own issues/business.
Thanks,
Lynn
This guy is a control freak. So he says that “I just don’t believe in mixing the races that way.”
Well, I’ve got news for him. God DOES believe in mixing the races that way. If He didn’t, there wouldn’t be any biracial people in the world. Nobody gets born without God willing it. That’s true for everybody, no matter what race, ethnic group, or combination of races and ethnic groups they are.
If God didn’t want mixed race people in the world, they wouldn’t be here. There would be barriers between the races, like there are between species. The barriers between species prevents dogs and cats from making offspring, as one of many examples.
There are no such barriers between the races. God didn’t see fit to put them there. That is because He wanted us to be all one species. The barriers between the races are man made, artificial, biologically nonexistant, and very fragile.
This guy needs to stop being such a control freak.
According to Mr. Bardwell Most of black and white society does not accept biracial offspring, those children suffer and he wont help put them through it.
Wait!!! Who’s are President! I think we are past that hurdle Mr. Bardwell.
@Lynn: This web site is open to the public. If you don’t want comments on what you post, don’t post. You clearly read what you WANTED to read in Carwin’s post.
I too am black, and I know that we can be just as bigoted as whites.
RESPONSE BY LYNN: J.D., who pays the bills here in Hicktown?
There is no need to back track on this country’s racist past…we are having trouble with marrying the gays nowadays…lets stay focused.e
Ceecee that is a fantastic argument in support of interracial marriage and biracial kids. It will be helpful to me in a couple years. So thank you!
Wow! He lets them use his bathroom?!! He must think that’s “progressive.” What a blooming idiot. Yes, get this guy DISBARRED. An idiot AND he breaks the law. He’s OUT.
Maybe this judge has a point… Oh wait. You said this happened in 2009?! Not 1959? Ok well nevermind this man is senile and off his rocker. My Louisianian grandmother actually made the same “I’m not racist I’m just worried about the kids” argument when she found out my fiancé was black. Maybe there was somethin in the water there. By the way, even in 1959, Americans accepted Hollywood’s first and most famous interracial couple- Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Hey judge, may I remind you that we Americans, regardless of our races, pay your salary via income tax. Your salary comes from us. You are not in a position to decide who can get married or not. You are not doing volunteer work. We pay your salary. Remember that.
BARDWELL THIS IS NOT THE OLD SOUTH AND YOU NEED TO WAKE UP AND STOP WHISTLING DIXIE. IT IS PAST THE TIME TO GET THIS FOOL WHO LETS HIS BLACK FRIENDS USE HIS BATHROOM OFF THE BENCH. I KNOW SOME RACISTS BOTH BLACK AND WHITE BUT THIS IDIOT IS ONE OF THE DANGEROUS ONES HE HAS GOVERNMENTAL POWER. WHAT A SHAME FOR HIS BLACK FRIENDS AND FOR HIS WHITE FRIENDS TOO. I BET HE RULES OVER HIS HOUSEHOLD WITH THE SAME WHITE SHEET HAND.
I think Natalie and I are on the same wavelength about Louisiana being stuck in the past.
I just sent this email to my parents who still live in Louisiana. I am going to visit this weekend. Passing right through Hammond and I’ll be giving the proverbial finger to this a**hole on my way through.
subject: exactly the press Louisiana needs…
“http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091016/ap_on_re_us/us_interracial_rebuff
This guys career is over (I hope). What an idiot. I wonder what our mixed race president will say about this when it gets to the Justice Department.
This is the kind of thing that I hope doesn’t come to people’s minds when I tell them I’m from Louisiana. It is an embarrasment and this kind of bulls**t is why the intelligent kids leave the state when they graduate high school. Louisiana is just 50 years behind the rest of the country.
Well, it’s still a nice place to visit. My inter-racial family is looking forward to seeing you guys this weekend.”
This JP IS a racist!! He can say what he wants, but the fact is that he represents what remains of racism in this country.
His comments about an interracial relationship not lasting is very humerous to me since I am a white male and have been married to an african-american woman for 20 years. We have 3 children and have not suffered at all!!! As a matter of fact, they have done and continue to do reather well. They all have excelled in academics and their chosen “gift”. One is now a college athlete on scholarship; one is an amazing entertainer; and one is an up and coming classical musician. All are very popular and NONE have ever had even an arguement with friends or peers.
Why is this? Why did our marriage work? Why are our children doing so well in life? well, there may be many valid reasons, but the couiplke that come to mind are (1) They were raised WITHOUT any prejudice…..no talk about blacks, whites, or any other race, religion, creed, gender, etc…They were and still are raised without any of the racisim shared by most races against each other; (2) LOVE, unconditional LOVE….and a great support system. We RAISE our children. We take pride in our children….we are there for our children; (3) Respect and discipline. Our children have been raised with rules, regulations and structure.
Now with all this said…..WE are living proof that Keith Bardwell is an ignorant and not very intelligent man. He evidently was raised with the prejudism and racism that we CHOSE not to raise our children with. He needs tro step down and allow someone who has the level of mature intelligence to serve the people of his Parish/County. He is a disgrace to the legal system and deserves nothing more than a ten year sentence in the most underserved area of Africa where he will be forced to FINALLY learn that people are people regardless of their diversity.
I meet people like this all the time. It is completely wrong but certainly not shocking.
His excuse about the children is purely a justification because deep down he knows he’s wrong.
@ Just-a-Man, thanks for sharing that testimony.
He should be disbarred for this. People should marry WHOM They love, whether it is the same sex partner or has more melanin in their skin.
And for the record, who voted that I wouldn’t want my children to marry someone outside their race?
I could care less as long as it’s a happy marriage
Roman asked: And for the record, who voted that I wouldn’t want my children to marry someone outside their race?
Roman is referring to the poll that I have up where I ask people about their beliefs regarding interracial marriage. One of the options was “I believe in interracial marriage for others, but I would not want my own children to marry outside of their race”
Thus far, one person chose that option. I appreciate that person’s honesty. Let’s have an open discussion.
I’ve been in an interracial marriage for 22 years. I would rather choose a good mate of a different race than a evil mate of the same race. Love has no color.
Wow can’t wait to hear the spin that Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity and O’riely put on this. Watch how they come to the defense of this IDIOT!!!!! Watch Fox news NOT cover this story and if they do it will be a blip on the radar.
I live in the same parish as Mr. Bardwell – went to school with some of his relatives. He is most definitely white. And to give y’all a little background, this parish didn’t segregate until 1969. New Orleans (50 miles southeast) was segregated around 1961 by comparison. For many years after segregation no proms or school dances of any kind were allowed. The entire area is circa 1950. As one of those who Mr. Bardwell would certainly never marry, I can say there are many of us with more tolerant leanings than the total bigotry Mr. Bardwell expresses.
Carwin you are one popular idiot tonight,find a fifty story ledge and take a walk.
Why is it that people only get outraged when they think it’s popular to do so? I work in the advertising industry. Dose anyone care that a male model and a female model will be working in the same commercial but the female will make 10 times what the male makes doing the same exact thing. Why do we only hear about women making less than men? Has anybody noticed in the past 5 years how many white people have lost their jobs in commercials to blacks? Take a look at the commercials on TV. People lost their jobs simply because they are white but nobody cares. They care about what the media tells them to care about. I can’t believe how this is on hundreds of sites. I remember the Russian living in CA that killed his family including his extended family. That was page 10 news the next day. Why? he used a knife instead of a gun. If you want to be front page news for weeks than you have to use a gun. The media machine will want to keep that gun issue in your face for weeks. God gave us all a brain. It’s a bout time we used it. And oh Ceecee, using your reasoning, then why didn’t God create mixed race people? It’s just a question.
Wouldn’t it better if he refused marriage to equally x-treme right wingers? Think about the off spring these two can produce if ever they could-aaghhh!!!
And people still say that racism is no longer here, its alive and well. In all honesty, there are more people that feel this way than most would believe, to include more judges. Most are just smart enough not to exercise that feeling. Imagine going in front of this guy in a criminal case.
Thank you for sharing that Alice.
And thank you too for sharing your powerful story Just-a-man
Justices of the Peace are not required by law to perform marriages, it is simply something they may choose to do, and accept a fee for the services. If the Judge doesn’t believe in the people he is marrying… for his own racist reasons… I don’t think you can demand any person, Judge or not, to marry two people. Good luck with the ACLU and Legal Bar trying to force him to marry people, or resign for failing to do so!
ALSO >>> to: “US Tax Payer”… elected official that is being paid by our taxes… yes. Volunteer work required? no. Providing officiation of marriages is something that Judges are NOT required to do. The fact that another Judge in the area was available, willing, and did the ceremony works in this racist Judge’s favor.
No sir, I don’t like it
Larry asked: Has anybody noticed in the past 5 years how many white people have lost their jobs in commercials to blacks? Take a look at the commercials on TV. People lost their jobs simply because they are white but nobody cares.
LYNN’s RESPONSE: ??? Would you mind explaining to me and others how you came to the bizarre conclusion that the jobs were an entitlement to white people? What on earth led you to believe that those commercials were OWED to white people? You have no clue how nutty your comment sounds.
Are you suggesting that in spite of the fact that blacks are actors who seek out jobs on commercials….and in spite of the fact that blacks are CONSUMERS who purchase products and services, that we as a people should not be represented? Only whites can be actors on commercials now?
You are a danger to this country. You teach your children to discriminate. My guess is that you are a broken down, out of work, ANGRY white male living in a trailer and drinking all day long—-while blaming all your problems on black people.
LARRY ASKED: And oh Ceecee, using your reasoning, then why didn’t God create mixed race people? It’s just a question.
LYNN’s RESPONSE: Clearly you are against interracial marriage and that’s your business, isn’t it? But DON’T put God in this mess! God put people here on this planet. IF He did not want us to mix, he would have created different types of sex organs for each “race” to ensure that we did not mix. AND He would have forbidden it in scriptures. AND, He would have made it impossible for people of other races to be able to get pregnant by each other.
You also complained that this topic is being discussed. You are a hypocrite. WHY are you searching out this topic and visiting blogs that are discussing this topic? WHY did you comment, as opposed to simply moving on?
You have issues, sir.
Wow, why is there a few who have so much hate? Yes, we should be talking about this but I find it disturbing the few that come forward with so much hate and disdain for someone of another race. Why do we even have classifications? I married my husband because of who he is and that is not defined by the color of his skin. When I have forms to fill out I wonder why is it necessary to catagorize people? I check other for my kids. If there is a space to fill in “what” they are I put: HUMAN. Is there really any other race? My kids fit into either group and they enjoy that. But I look forward to the day when there is not a “group” to fit into. Friends should be friends because they have common interests. Not because they have the same skin tone.
Thanks to Bill Mahar I heard about this judge. It’s really interesting reading all of the comments. Interracial dating isn’t a new thing. There are interracial marriages in the bible as well: Ruth & Boaz, Moses and His wife to name a few. God created us in HIS image and looks at our heart not the skin color. To me there is nothing wrong with interracial marriages. Racism is a learned thought process that will never go away. But when it’s interferes with performing your job as described then something needs to be done. Objectivity no longer applies to the tasks at hand AND THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS.
Evangelist ET just sent me the following update:
PRESS HERE
For all of you racist and biggoted people out thier I have the perfect place for you to live. It has its own radio station it have its own biggot and racist people working in the schools,government shopping centers, move to lower slower Delaware and tune your redio into 92.7 fm and you all can all sit around and swollow in your own hate towards other. Welcome to Lower Delaware we have four beautiful location for you Laruel, Georgetown. Seaford and Delmar. Come on down you hear.
Steve,
What on earth is going on in Delaware?
Latest comments from the (in)Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell (source: USA Today)
“Everybody hates me,” he tells reporters. “Really. I don’t know why. I treat people, I figure, equal. I have one problem with mixed marriages and that is the offspring.”
I guess some offspring are more equal than others…
Another fine example of logic from a brilliant Republican constitutionalist. One would think he could answer the mystery of why everyone hates him by meditating on his last comment regarding interracial “offspring”. I suppose an interesting question that should be asked is how a person this stupid ever got this position in the first place?
His only legal argument is his personal dislike of the existence of interracial kids. Pathetic.
LARRY ASKED: and oh Ceecee, using your reasoning, then why didn’t God create mixed race people? It’s just a question.
Larry, are you drunk or on drugs or something? God DID create mixed race people. That’s why they’re on this planet. He knits us all together in our mother’s womb. This is true of everybody, no matter what their ancestry. We are all created by God, in His image.
Not all acts of unprotected, heterosexual sex cause a pregnancy. Only the ones that God is willing to lead to a pregnancy will lead to one. And sometimes birth control doesn’t work and a pregnancy happens anyway. God’s will again. So if you see a mixed race person, you know that God willed the pregnancy that brought them into the world.
So how can you say God didn’t create mixed race people when He clearly did create them, as proven by their existance on this planet?