Justice of peace refuses to marry interracial couple

[kval07]

I've been seeing this news story for a few days now. I'm not one bit surprised that we are seeing such a situation.


Interracial rebuff puts official on hot seat - Race & ethnicity- msnbc.com

Bardwell has said he always asks if a couple is interracial and, if they are, refers them to another justice of the peace. Bardwell said no one had complained in the past and he doesn’t marry the couples because he’s worried about their children’s futures.


(I don't think anyone here will dispute that an interracial couple have the right to marry, so let's not go there.)

So what do you think? Should he resign? Is it okay for him to pick and choose who he can marry if he is an elected official? He's been in office for 34 years, so I can't believe this is the first time anyone has complained. His current term is up at the end of 2014 and it doesn't sound like he will go for another round.

I'm kind of torn. I'm sure he didn't come up with stance just recently. And if he has gone this long without any complaints, then why bother? But I can't stand racist attitudes and as an elected official, you don't get to pick and choose who you serve. It's all or nothing.

I'm really stuck on that complaints thing. Do interracial couples feel his point is valid, and that's why they've never complained before?? I can't make myself believe that, so that just seems odd.

[loaslaen]

I've been seeing this news story for a few days now. I'm not one bit surprised that we are seeing such a situation.


Interracial rebuff puts official on hot seat - Race & ethnicity- msnbc.com

Bardwell has said he always asks if a couple is interracial and, if they are, refers them to another justice of the peace. Bardwell said no one had complained in the past and he doesn’t marry the couples because he’s worried about their children’s futures.


(I don't think anyone here will dispute that an interracial couple have the right to marry, so let's not go there.)

So what do you think? Should he resign? Is it okay for him to pick and choose who he can marry if he is an elected official? He's been in office for 34 years, so I can't believe this is the first time anyone has complained. His current term is up at the end of 2014 and it doesn't sound like he will go for another round.

I'm kind of torn. I'm sure he didn't come up with stance just recently. And if he has gone this long without any complaints, then why bother? But I can't stand racist attitudes and as an elected official, you don't get to pick and choose who you serve. It's all or nothing.

I'm really stuck on that complaints thing. Do interracial couples feel his point is valid, and that's why they've never complained before?? I can't make myself believe that, so that just seems odd.

The couple is not being refused the right to marry, they're just being referred to another official to marry them. Haven't priests/pastors refused to marry people based on moral grounds? In the court system a judge can recuse himself or be recused "where he has a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party", so what is wrong with this man choosing to recuse himself from marrying the couple so he doesn't have any personal liability in the future of their children?

[bigsweetie]

He should be fired immediately. He took an oath and he broke it... whatever his reasoning it doesn't matter.

[beth119]

Here is my opinion.

FIRST... Racism in any form is downright disgusting. I don't care what anyone's excuse is.
This man is an ELECTED OFFICIAL. He doesn't get to pick and choose who he wants to marry (as long as its legal... not a 30 year old trying to marry a 12 year old).

Now, I would give him more slack if he wasn;t elected. As I would any religious organization or jp. (but still think its disgusting)

[momof2inohio]

I think that his reasoning is lame. There is no reason to be "concerned" about a biracial child's future. This is why racism still exists. People have to get over their fear of racial couples marrying and having children. It's just an excuse to cover up racism. My grandparents have even told me "I wouldn't have a problem if any of my grandchildren married a man of a different race UNLESS they have kids" I ask her why and she said that the kids would be teased in school. My kids have several biracial friends and they are very well liked in school. He should not be denying anyone the right to marry unless of course it was someone underage.

[beth119]

The couple is not being refused the right to marry, they're just being referred to another official to marry them. Haven't priests/pastors refused to marry people based on moral grounds? In the court system a judge can recuse himself or be recused "where he has a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party", so what is wrong with this man choosing to recuse himself from marrying the couple so he doesn't have any personal liability in the future of their children?

There is a difference between a priest/pastor and an elected official. You really can't compare the two.

Judges don't recuse themselves becaue they are racist. Or anything to do with race. They usually recuse themselves do to conflict of interest (know the defendent, or if they lost a child to a drunk driver and are hearing a similar case,etc). Judges DO NOT recuse because of skin color.

And how does he know if he has personal liability to thier children? Or if they will even HAVE any? Should he refuse to marry a poor couple because poverty can be HORRIBLE to a child? I could go on and on and on with "couples that shouldn't marry and have kids because"....


Again, if this was a priest/pastor... I would still think it was horrible, but be so upset.

[loaslaen]

There is a difference between a priest/pastor and an elected official. You really can't compare the two.

If an elected official can vote on a bill because they don't agree with it morally, then an elected official can recuse himself and offer a substitution if he doesn't agree morally.

He is not refusing the couple the right to marry, he is just excusing himself from being a participant of that union. If he is strongly opposed to such unions, his name should not have to be attached to it. And what kind of person would want to force someone to do something they are against anyway? Wouldn't someone PREFER to be married by someone who doesn't have a problem with their union?

[loaslaen]

Oh yeah, before anyone asks...I'm related to him too!

[CW&M Mom]

The justice of the peace knows one of the few things he's going to do is marry people and some might be interracial. I think he should resign or be fired.

To me this is no different than your local CVS pharmacist refusing to fill prescriptions for birth control...and it's against there religion......you take a job...where you flat out know it's going to be an issue...you either just do your job, or don't take the job.

I 100% agree with Beth.


"Wouldn't someone PREFER to be married by someone who doesn't have a problem with their union?" I'm thinking when your having the justice of the peace marry you(who normally would be a complete stranger) you probably don't care too much who is marrying you.

[beth119]

BTW....

I wonder if this guy knows who the President is....