The Color of Love

Judge Bardwell said that his reasons were out of concern for the couple’s future children. The judge also said that he is not racist and that he has a lot of black friends, who he welcomes to his house and even lets them use his bathroom.

Judge Bardwell stated, “There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage. I think those children suffer and I won’t help put them through it.” He also mentioned that 99% of interracial marriages end in divorce.

According to the Associated Press, the couple, Terance McKay, who is black, and Beth Humphrey, who is white, have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Judge Bardwell.

Judge Bardwell’s argument is that he did not prevent the couple from getting married; he just wouldn’t marry them. He told them who to go to and they went and got married.

The ACLU asked the Louisiana Judiciary Committee to investigate the McKay – Humphrey case. The local NAACP has forwarded the case to the state and national levels of the civil rights group.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal also wants the Louisiana Judiciary Committee to investigate. Gov. Jindal stated that disciplinary action should be taken, immediately, including, the revoking of Judge Bardwell’s license. 

Judge Bardwell has been an elected judge for 34 years. His current term ends on December 31, 2014.

My Thoughts!

Judge Bardwell’s actions and statements are very disturbing. Not only is he an elected official, he also broke the law. On June 12, 1967, (Loving v. Virginia), the Supreme Court ruled that banning an interracial marriage was unconstitutional.

Despite a historic, 2008 presidential election, we still have a long way to go in regards to race relations in this country. It is not Judge Bardwell’s job to exercise his personal opinions and views. It’s his job to follow the law, not break the law. It is also very alarming that he has refused to marry other interracial couples, and yet, remained on the bench. According to Judge Bardwell, a state attorney general told him, years ago, that he would eventually get in trouble for not marrying interracial couples. If this is true, action should also be taken against that attorney general.

I am very pleased that Terence and Beth did not remain silent. Children suffer from lack of love, more than anything else, not from having parents of different races. President Barack Obama certainly triumphed!

Judge Bardwell needs to be removed from the bench, immediately. His license should also be revoked. It is not Judge Bardwell’s life, or society’s life. It is Terence’s life. And Beth’s life. It is theirs to live.

We can change laws, but we cannot change hearts. We have come a long way, in regards to racism and bigotry, in this country, however, we still have a ways to go yet. Even in 2009.