Louisiana J.P. Won’t Issue Marriage License to Interracial Couple

Louisiana Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell refused to issue a marriage license a recently for an interracial couple (a white woman and a black man, in case you’re interested). I'm not aware of any law against harboring racist feelings, even under the guise of “I’m worried about their children,” but the issue of concern is his refusal to render services to a taxpaying couple he’s obliged to serve. No law degree is required in order to be elected or appointed as a J.P., but one hopes, at the very least, that these individuals possess good judgment. Yes, the couple did go elsewhere to get legally hitched, but letting Bardwell dictate the terms of his employment, even in his limited jurisdiction, is tacitly sanctioning racial discrimination, and that’s unacceptable. Bardwell said he came to the conclusion that most black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society. “Yet, the children are innocent. They had nothing to do with that,” he said. “I don’t do interracial marriages because I don’t want to put children in a situation they didn’t bring on themselves,” Bardwell said. “In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer.” How touching…and laughable. Bardwell’s wife, who answered the initial phone call from the couple, even asked which of them was white before refusing services and referring them to another J.P. Much as I hate to speculate on the machinations of a mind like Bardwell’s, I’ll bet he’d also refuse to marry an interracial couple beyond the age of having a child naturally or who may consider adopting the orphaned or abandoned offspring of other interracial couples. Even more illogical than Bardwell?—continuing to pay him when he won’t perform one of the services he’s paid to deliver.

In addition to being terminated immediately, Bardwell should be required to repay any salary and benefits he received from the time he refused to fully perform his duties as a J.P. There are lots of intelligent Louisiana citizens who are jobless, probably many who are willing to abide by the statutes of their state. I’m sure Bardwell’s position wouldn’t be vacant for long.