Score One for the Interracials!

Recently, Keith Bardwell, a justice of the peace from Louisiana resigned under pressure after illegally denying an interracial couple the right to marry. Please click my title which will direct you to a Youtube video which outlines Bardwell's offense.

After reading up on this issue along with watching the video about Bardwell's actions many times, I've come to the obvious conclusion that he was completely wrong in what he did but this type of story is not one that surprised me. Considering all the issues with gay rights, I almost mistook this article for something of that same nature. Bardwell had no legal grounds to deny this couple the right to marry but he claimed that he was indeed following the law and that he has denied other interracial couples the right to marriage. The fact that this was not stopped earlier frightens me. Bardwell must have said something truly sinister to the other couples to make them afraid to take action against him. People need to address these types of issues not only for themselves but for all the mistreated couples in the same situation.

Bardwell was wrong and I'm glad he realized that and resigned. I hope that he will guide his future actions and opinions accordingly after what occurred. I mean come on, you know something is wrong when your own religious leader is telling you to step down because you acted irresponsibly.

Ignorant or Just Plain Racist?

Today, many Civil Liberties groups are calling for the resignation of Louisiana Justice, Keith Bardwell. Apparently, the Louisiana Justice of Peace of Tangipahoa Parish in the southeastern part of the state, refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple. Earlier this month, Beth Humphrey, a white woman, and Terence McKay, a black man, were refused a marriage license by the Louisiana justice.

In response, Baldwell, the white Lousiana justice said that he thinks that any future children of interracial couples will have a troubled life. Wow, what a strong statement! I mean, I think Barack Obama, the child of an interracial couple, is completely troubled, being the president and all. Many other people with Liberties groups have expressed similar sentiments. In fact, Bill Quigley, director of the Center for Constitutional Rights and Justice, specifically said "Perhaps he's worried the kids will grow up and be president," ("he" referring to the justice).

After other angry people started to show their distaste, the Justice stopped answering his phone and Thursday, he specifically stated "No one's ever complained about it before...I do it to protect the children. The kids are innocent and I worry about their futures." This is exactly an example of stepping backwards into a time when the US was very racist. This very action is undermining the efforts of the Civil Rights Movements in the 1960s.

The justice actually believes that what he is doing is correct and is in no way racist at all. This is the kind of ignorance that damages the American image. Although I can't say whether Baldwell deserves to lose his job, it is clear that he just hurt his public opinion very much, just like Kanye and his embarrasing episode at the MTV awards.

Baldwell was a justice for 34 years, and he says that everytime he ran without opposition. However, after his current term expires, he will not try for another. Smart move.

-Henry Zhang