In the words of Cyndi Lauper some people’s ‘true colors are shining through’ but in this case it isn’t about love it’s about prejudice. Such is the case of Louisiana Justice of the Peace, Keith Bardwell, who refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple earlier this month. CNN reports that when the bride, Beth Humphrey, called to inquire about getting the marriage license Bardwell’s wife came out and asked her whether this was an interracial marrage. Then she was told he doesn’t sign off on such things. Yup, his policy was clear from jump but in Tangipahoa Parrish nobody challenged him before. But Humphrey and her now husband, Terrence McKay, clearly live in the present and had a ‘Say What?’ moment.
Now that the NAACP is involved and calls for his resignation have come out, Bardwell is quick to say he isn’t a racist. He gave an interview to his local paper in which he said:
“I’m not a racist,” Bardwell told the newspaper. “I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house. My main concern is for the children.”
Of course it’s all about those poor mixed babies. NOT. Bardwell was elected back in 1976 and has clearly been practicing his selective weddings the whole time. But this couple is the first to be brave enough to speak out. There’s something wrong with that.
Of course I’ve never been to Tangipahoa Parrish either. Although it is overwhelming white I wonder if the 30% black population is doing anything to change who’s in leadership in their communities. Or is just this par for the course In Tangipahoa Parrish?
Clearly the road forward is stalled in more places than we realize. And perhaps we should pay more attention to what’s going on around us instead of watching a balloon that a little boy wasn’t in on the news for hours.
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