Beth Humphrey, 30, and her boyfriend, Terence McKay, 32
posted by Sam Richards
Some of you have no doubt heard this story pass through the media outlets. More surprising than the Justice of the Peace being unwilling to give these two a marriage license is that fact that he stands by his decision, as discussed in THIS ARTICLE.
Before you go off on how outrageous this is, I want to remind you that two weeks ago in class I discuss the number of you who would not adopt a child with ancestry other than your own or who would not use the sperm or egg of people with ancestry different from your own. And you might recall that everyone who stated that they were uncomfortable being the head of a mixed ancestry family all said it was because of the children. “The children would have a difficult go of it down the road,” was the sentiment.
So how is this judge any different? Along with “mixed race marriages often end in divorce,” this is what this guy has said (although that particular statment is not in this article). Sounds like we might have to get back to some serious thinking about what constitutes racism and bigotry. If people in SOC 119 can say it, why not the judge? Okay, so you’re actions of not starting mixed ancestry families do not impact someone else’s life, but the idea that we’re protecting those who most need “protection” is still the same. Just a thought worth pondering.
It’s unfortunate that he speaks with a southern accent. In fairness, he says that his definition of “racist” is when you treat black people differently than white people. By not issuing the marriage license he’s actually treating black and white people the same! So I guess he’s not racist. Life is complex…
Love vs. justice article grabs my attention because I couldn’t believe that a judge could decided who he was able to marry and who shouldn’t be married because of what he thinks may be big consequences. I can’t believe how easy it was for him to deny that marriage without having to deal with higher authority. I would have understand that if he didn’t want to marry a gay couple but then that another story but not marry a man and woman cause of their skin color that not right all. Just because you’re marrying someone of a different color doesn’t mean any more difference then those marrying the same race. I understand that facts or surveys show that people that marry a different race then there end up in a divorce but then can be a couple of 100 to last together .plus that shouldn’t be the judges problem if they want to marry people from another race he should care it better for him cause if they end up divorcing the that mean that they will be going to him to divorce so, by them going back to him, he will be making more money out of it. And sincerely I do think he is racist because he says he isn’t but yet the definition he give for that person that is a racist that of a person mistreating the person of color which he is doing. I think that they should punish him or have him attend something to make him rethink his ideas. I think they should have taking him to court to have him impeached from his job. We can’t have this kind of attitude especial at the stage we are in of dealing with racism. It wrong because in his video he doesn’t say anything about him not marrying the couple because of them being interracial couple, but because of the reason he believe they shouldn’t be married. I think that his believe shouldn’t have ever been part of this decision because it not going to be him dealing with any of the issues the couple has through the relationship. If they ever had any issues it going to be the couple to deal with it and fix their issue in their own way which I doubt they would ever go back to him. I am also confused with the whole issue of marrying if he lives in the south area of the United States so. I would think it would really be a big deal but I guest we still have big race issues in the south. I think that this a big problem and that it should deal with as soon as possible. I would want anyone to go through this again especially because I have family members that are mixed races. And have them go through this would really upset.
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Although I see the parallel that Sam is drawing between his comment about the class feeling uncomfortable adopting a child from a different ancestry, and the children that come from a biracial marriage, I can’t say that I agree with it. When you are in biracial relationship and have children you have a partner to help you raise this child that is familiar and comfortable in their own culture. If I were to marry outside of my own race, sure I would be aware of the things my children would have to go through, I would also feel comfortable because I wouldn’t be responsible for teaching them my own culture, plus another culture that I’m not familiar with first hand. The only thing I would worry about if I adopted outside of my culture would be depriving the child of their own culture, but I suppose I could learn enough to adequately give them the information about their culture so they could then go on and submerse themselves in that culture if they so wished when they were older. From personal experience, one of my best friends was adopted as a baby from El Salvador and I can’t think of a time where he has even talked about his native culture, and from what I’ve gathered he doesn’t know much about it at all. I feel like this isn’t a shortcoming in his parents, but just the fact that they do not know much about the culture themselves. As for the article specifically about the justice of the peace refusing to marry the biracial couple, a good point about this was brought up in my recitation yesterday. One of the students in our class said that if this person was going to claim that he refused to marry them because of the injustices and complications it would pose on their children, then they would have to be show the same consistency throughout every situation. If a couple had one person who was an alcoholic or someone who was addicted to drugs, and the other person in the relationship was not, statistics show that this could potentially lead to divorce, therefore causing troubles and emotional difficulties on the children. I also believe that this specific situation wasn’t one where he was seeing the big picture, I believe it was his personal belief that was influencing his decision and creating a bias. But, I also am trying to give him the benefit of the doubt because I don’t know if I’m just thinking at this situation with a tinted lens because the attitude of society and the public is that everything that could possibly be treated as racism is blown up in the media so that the whole world is aware. This is another instance of having to interpret someone’s motives and straddling the line of what is politically correct, what is racism, and what needs to be a public display of disciplining someone to make an example of them for the rest of society.
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Классно но чего то не хватает !
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I think it’s interesting about all the backlash that is going on about this guy. Basically, this judge is being attacked because he denied a marriage between two people who are from different ethnic backgrounds. Do I think it’s wrong…yes. I think that everyone should be a loud to be with who they want, whether society agrees with it or not. That’s what makes this the best country there is. There aren’t many other countries that would accept marriages like this, and some of them even kill the couple if they are caught in a forbidden relationship. Granted, they WERE rejected by this guy, but they will easily get married somewhere else, especially with all the publicity surrounding them now.
Anyways, I do believe that it was wrong for the judge to do that, but I find it funny to hear all of the criticism coming from everyone. I bet you most of the people who would be put in that same situation as the judge would do the same exact thing, for the same exact reason. The judge says that he did it because of the hardships that the children may face down the road, and I’m sure that is part of the reason, if not the whole reason he did it. Now Sam brought up a great point that a lot of the class said that they would not adopt a baby who was of a different race, mostly because they may experience hardships down the road. Well isn’t what this judge was saying too? It seems to be really easy to criticize someone nowadays from a distance, and everyone does it, yet no one takes a good look in the mirror and tries to put themselves in the same situation to see how they would handle it. Why can you say and think something like that, and this judge can’t? It doesn’t really make sense to me. All that judge needs to do is ask any of his critics. “would you adopt a baby of a different race? And if not, Why?” I guarantee you they will hush up after that.
There is way too much hypocrisy nowadays in this society, and it is done by people who don’t experience these choices or situations. It’s easy to bash this judge, or anyone else who makes a decision that is race-related. The majority of these “bashers” probably never had to face a dilemma of this kind. But please, next time you decide to join the bashing committee, put yourself in those shoes and ask yourself if you will be the angel and make the right decision. After that, I doubt you will be a little more selective in who you criticize and what you criticize.
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It is amazing how peoples’ minds work whenever they want to justify their actions or thoughts. This surprises me when, former Justice Keith Bardwell responded that he didn’t want to marry the couple because of worries and concerns about offspring of mixed interracial heritage. Did he really care about those children from interracial parents or he just wanted to justify his actions? His actions clearly violate the constitutional and federal laws; “Under the Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual and cannot be infringed by the State or federal laws”. I did not know or think that even today some people in our society still have a problem of two people who love each but do not have the same skin color.
After reading and listening to this story, I realized that there is a long way to go when it comes to race relations and sometimes it is so hard to understand. Why are we really still talking about race and ethnicity issues? Shouldn’t we pass all of this and become husband and wife, good friends and neighbors despite our skin colors? People always find reasons to hate each other and it is so sad that people sometimes follow the hatred or discriminatory path of their parents, grand parents or relatives. When a black president was elected, many people thought that it will bring a lot of people closer but I think that it is going the other way. If two people of different color are really in love, I do not see why this could be anybody’s business. This judge from Louisiana had his own intentions of not letting this couple getting married but what I know is that it is wrong to deny anyone’s wishes or dreams because who they are or look like.
Sometimes parents actually tell their children that they do not want them to marry people of different race than their own and this is where all the problems begin and if a person grew up in this kind of environment, he/she passes it on to other people, especially their offspring. If two people meant to be together forever, they stay together no matter what, divorce does not have anything to do with their skin color. Most of the times, issues that lead to divorce have nothing to do with racial identity; those issues are common in any household indiscriminately of race. Making assumption that children of interracial couple suffer when parents divorce it does not make sense! Any children who experience the break up of his or her family will go under a tremendous amount of pain and this is true whether their parents were same or different ethnic background. It does not matter if you are black, white or brown, when it comes to divorce the outcomes are the same. I think that there are different ways of being racist and people say or do things that are hurtful to other; later they try to back up their actions by apologizing or making up stupid pretexts that do not even make sense.
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I think this is completely wrong. How are we supposed to get past racism when there are things like this still happening? When people from different races get into relationships, we have cases of them being attacked and not being able to be married. This right here I believe just adds to the segregation. I believe this judge needs to look at himself and open his mind to different things. For him denying them their license because he is concerned about the children I believe is bull. Denying them partnership is very belittling and does not make them feel as a couple that they are equal.
I believe no one should have the right to say that people cannot be married. I believe that should be a personal decision between the parties that are thinking about marriage. I think he needs to put himself in their shoes and ask himself how he felt when he knew he wanted to marry his wife and how he would feel if someone denied it. It should not matter what color you are love is love no matter where you come from so when people want to spend their life’s with each other they should be able to.
Every day we hear about different people that are treated not equal because the color of their skin and I believe many people know this to be true. If more of this is to happen then I believe that will cause more segregation between different races. I believe this because if you cannot fully love someone because the color of their skin because the color of their skin will make you second guess the people that choose to be with. I don’t think this is care at all and something needs to be done about it.
Then for the judge to say he denied them their marriage because he was concerned about the children. It does not matter what race you are children will still be in danger. I understand that it may be hard for children to cope in a broken home but he should not make conclusions like that. He needs to do his job and take race out of the different decisions that he makes. That is not his job to make decisions like that when he does not have any evidence. This reason just proves that he has another motive and that is race.
In conclusion this case needs to be looked into more. I believe this because if this judge got caught denying people because of their race then there are more judges out there just like him. I just think you should stop thinking with your race and be a man and treat people equality no matter what.
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Haha this has to be a joke. I mean I don’t understand how somebody has the power to say two people can’t be married. I don’t care if you were black, white, gay, straight, or whatever if two people honestly love each other who are you t say they cant be married, that’s what marriage is an ultimate commitment between two people who LOVE each other. I mean of course he is a judge however I believe judge Keith Bardwell is completely in the wrong here. As a judge it is his duty to make things right but I don’t think he has the right to refuse marriage between these two people, Beth Humphrey and Terence Mckay, just because of their skin color. He even tries to defend his actions as not being racist when racism is the only reason in this situation. You have a black man trying to marry a white woman and your are refusing to marry them because you don’t believe in or have a problem with marrying mixed race couples. Do you not see it? He says it himself he has a problem marrying mixed RACES!! That is what I call RACISM. Any action or simply refuseing someone of something because of their skin color or race is racism. Even with judge bardwells definition of racism, when asked if he considers himself racist, still makes him look racist. He states that hes not racist because he doesn’t hate black people or treat them any differently then other people. I don’t know if its him being niave or stupid but he is clearly treating a black man differently by refusing him the privaledge of marrying a white woman.
Now as far as hes main argument and reasoning for not marrying the couple because of the offspring that put my in an outrage. First of all it doesn’t state anywhere that the couple had intent of having kids, however that’s beside the point. I am an offspring to a biracial couple and there is nothing wrong with me nore has my life been any harder just because of being from a mixed family. Every family has their problems some worst then other and which usually can end in a marriages end, but who is to say just because your in a mixed relationship means your relationship will most likely end in divorse. Most marriages now a days end in divorse, and im pretty sure most of them have nothing to do with their race. My parents split up when I was young however their breakup didn’t cause problems in my life. I always saw my parents whenever I wanted and both my parents loved me more then anything else in the world and that’s the only thing that matters in this entire situation. So in conclusion if I had to sum this entire argument in a sentence it would be: The only thing that should decide in whether or not two people should be married is ultimately LOVE.
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This story is very interesting to me and I feel extremely discouraged that things like this are happening in this day and age. Living in America, we are supposed to have the freedoms that most other countries don’t have; we are supposed to be “ahead of the curve”; we are supposed to be open to new things and new ideas. We are the land of possibility. So, why are there still people who are against mixed marriages? It just doesn’t make sense to me. With all the hate and wars and fighting going on in the world, why do some people feel the need to discriminate against any type of love that may go against the grain (i.e., gay, lesbian, interracial)? This goes for mixed race couples as well as gay couples. In my humble opinion, anyone should be allowed to love anyone. Love is an absolutely amazing thing, and I think trying to limit it or discourage it is really despicable. In the blog, Sam mentioned how some people in our class said that they wouldn’t be comfortable with having mixed race children, so why is the justice’s decision any different? I don’t think those things have anything to do with each other because in class, nobody ever said that they don’t want mixed race children because it was wrong or because they didn’t approve of the concept. They just said that they themselves wouldn’t be comfortable taking that upon themselves, because it obviously would have some consequences for both the child and the family throughout the child’s life. Nobody in the class said that other people shouldn’t be allowed to have mixed race children if that’s what they want for themselves. It’s just a choice that people have to make for themselves, and some people have different preferences than others. But the important thing is that everyone should be able to make that choice for themselves, and not have their love be limited because of what some governing official thinks is “right”. This is America, this is the land where anything is possible. We have freedoms beyond our wildest dreams, but there are still some ways in which our country is lacking. We must all realize that love isn’t black or white; it sees no color and I really believe that it is blind. People should be able to love whomever they wish to love, and there should be no ifs ands or buts about it. Marriage and love are two beautiful things, and nobody in the world should be denied their right to love and marry. The more love we have in this world (whether it be gay, straight, lesbian, or interracial), the better it will be.
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This article is very interesting because I feel like the graphs that show actual data are much easier to assess because they are not opinionated. I first want to say that I do not think that Obama was chosen as the President of the United States of America just because of race. This may just me being opinioned but I do feel that the black community voted for him because he is black. He is not only black but half white as well but when you look at him he looks black. This is also why I think that more blacks voted for him. I also think the white community voted for him because they were more drawn to his campaign for change and political views, not because he is black and white. The thing that I guess is bothersome is the fact that having a black president still brings up questions about whether or not black men and women will get better jobs now just because of whose in office because this issue should not be present in the first place. All people have been known to be equal for many years and I think it is just being used as some sort of attention grabber, meaning that now that there is a president of color in office will that or wont that benefit the blacks and not be beneficial to the whites. But on a broader note, since the election there have been many articles out keeping track of his progress and to be completely honest I do not think he is doing a good job. I do not feel as though there has been any change and I would be curious to see how the whites view him as president now and how the people of color view him now (will they agree with everything he does because he is black, or will disagree with him if they are not happy with his politics?). Taking on the position of President of the United States of America may be tough and I do believe that it can be very difficult to solve all of the nation’s problems, but I think he is putting more of a focus on other things then what he discussed all throughout his campaign. After reevaluating the data, it brought to my attention the fact that today’s society is the same as it was in 1963? I mean to a degree it may be true but overall I truly believe that we have come a long way and that things will eventually get better. But overall, there is nothing we can do about who is in office once they are sworn in but I do think that people need to put their differences aside and start to agree.
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In this blog, many things crossed my mind. One thing that crossed my mind is when the priest had stated that he would not issue a marriage license to the interracial couple. Though he believes he is not racist because he treated them both the same, yet he is racist because he obviously did not issue a marriage license because he probably believes that the white lady is superior to the black man. Stating that he did not want them to get married because he did not want them to produce a biracial offspring is complete bull shit. This is bull shit because stopping them from getting married cannot prevent the two from having a child outside of marriage.
Another thing that ran through my mind was when Sam Richards mentioned the fact that most people would not adopt or get a sperm donor outside of their race. I personally believe that if I was unable to have children I would adopt a child that is at least partially black. The other half would be up to my husband. If I decide to marry interracially I would adopt a child that is the same mixture as one that my husband and I would produce. I would do this for cultural reasons. I personally would not know how to raise a child of a different culture when it comes to simple things like hair, make-up, skin, and so on. Also having a child of a different race is an awkward situation, I do not want to go around explaining or telling people that the child adopted is my child.
The final thing that bothered me was the statement made saying that people do not want to be the head of mixed ancestry. I have never thought of this before because most of my family is mixed either culturally in my generation or racially in the new generation coming now, but it does make some sense. People look at being different a bad thing. If I had started off mixed ancestry in my family, my child would be the victim of bullying within the family. My child will feel as an outcast in a place of comfort and support where people would question her blackness, or would have to try harder than others to fit in with her family because the texture of her hair might be a little different, or her skin color might be different, or she could speak two languages. Having my child being questioned because she is of mixed ancestry could also cause her to despise one of the parents because they made her different from everyone else around her. I would not want my child to have or hold something against her father or I. So I personally would not like to be the start of mixed ancestry.
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After I read this article and watched and heard what the judge had to say, first of all the first thing that came to mind was he is A COMPLETE FOOL!!! And second was I feel bad for the racism and discrimination that still exist that people don’t even realize and what people have to deal with. I think people still don’t fully understand what racism is and the aspects of it and how it doesn’t just involve one or two colors. Racism I believe can include many many things and isn’t just when you think or treat someone of another color differently. I think my main problem with the judge was that he honestly doesn’t believe he is racist yet he wouldn’t marry two people who were in love from different racial backgrounds. He said his concern was the “offspring” but honestly why should that even matter. If Beth and Terence don’t have a problem then why should he? Also, I’m sure as a soon to be married couple they are very aware of certain things and have taken into consideration different factors that will affect their own future as well their future as a family. He’s acting as if he has the right to change things and dictate the way people’s lives and their children’s lives should turn out as if he’s better then or above and we all aren’t equal human beings. I’ve never heard of any judge doing that no matter what their own personal thoughts may have been and maybe this is just an excuse or cover up for his true feelings. Really no one will ever know but what I do know is he was completely wrong and selfish most importantly. He wasn’t thinking about how these two trying to marry one another and spend the rest of their lives together would feel knowing that already they have to face obstacles and how hurt they were. This could have seriously affected their relationship in a horrible way because you never know what either one of their personality types may be. If they both weren’t two strong individuals and didn’t fight for what they wanted, they may not have even tried to pursue their marriage anymore but may have just quit on each other and gave up on trying to be together, which I’m sure would change both of their lives forever. So in saying that, I think the judge truly owes them an apology, even though I’m almost 100 percent sure he won’t give it because he’s stuck in his own ways. But I hope in knowing that the two did continue to get married, hopefully live happily on with one another and so on, he realizes what’s meant to be will be and he has no control over that. He needs a reality check to see who’s really in charge and makes the decisions to better himself and also humble himself.
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So about this article, what I don’t understand is why this judge doesn’t let this couple get marry. So the judge claims he is not racist however I don’t know what to really think. I starting to believe that deep down he has a dislike for blacks. There is no reason or justification why he should not allow this couple to get marry. I think that clearly he is still stuck in the past. I do not find a logical reason, as much thought I put into this, why he would not allow this marriage to take place. What bothers me is to think that this guy is a judge. If I had a case and he was the judge of the case I would be scared. I would not feel that he would rule on the right decision. I would think that he would base his judgment on race even though he denies being racist. How is it that he is still allowed to be a judge? That idea alone scares me that in the judicial system there is someone who still sees race as an important factor when it comes to making a decision. The blog doesn’t really say or gives a concrete reason why the judge says no to interracial marriage. If at least he would say exactly why or at least give a reason behind his decision. However, he doesn’t even state why such marriage should not be allowed. I think this is another extreme example of racism talked about in class. The judge denies being racist, but the reality is that he is. He just doesn’t want to come out and say it. He says that racism is treating black and white people different, but I think racism goes beyond black and white. One of his weak reasons why he would not allow the couple to get marry is because he is afraid that the potential children would be harmed because interracial marriage doesn’t usually last. Now my question is who does he thinks he is to deny this marriage. I am wondering if he thinks he is god. If he still denies marriage based on the notion that the children will be harm this doesn’t mean that it will stop the couple from procreating children. I think his excuse for denying marriage is weak. I mean how would he know that the children are going to be harmed and the possibilities that the children would be affected negatively. Is he a psychic that he knows this? Really this whole situation only makes me laugh. This judge must be out of this mind and I can’t believe he is still in office. He seriously needs help.
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Due to the fact that Bardwell was unwilling to issue a marriage license between an interracial couple due to the fact that he felt like it would not last and their children would experience a hard upbringing. I feel as if that automatically does make him racist even though he insists that he isn’t. He felt as if they should go to another justice of the peace to get married because he didn’t feel right doing it? Since when did these men insist on only marrying couples of the same race? I feel as if the case in which Bardwell was unwilling to marry this interracial couple was different because of the fact that he tried to stop their relationship because he did not feel comfortable with it. I know that I would be willing to adopt a child outside of my own race but I would feel more comfortable adopting my own race due to my own choices. This couple’s marriage should have only been decided between them and nobody else should be able to stop them. Actually, Bardwell does not even know this couple and how does he feel right with the fact that he wants this couple to feel the same way as him even though they do not even know each other personally? Just because I would feel more comfortable having a baby with the same race as me does not make me racist in my own eyes, I just feel as if it is was I am more comfortable with. I know though that I would never refuse to adopt a child of another race, it is just what I would prefer. I feel as if Bardwell is wrong not issuing a marriage license to this couple due to the fact that he was racist enough to not allow people that he did not even know to marry because he felt like they would just divorce and their children would be victims of racism. I know that these two issues do go hand and hand due to someone out there not feeling like a biracial child will suffer from racism and their upbringing may be hard but at the same time, I feel as if I want to be able to make that choice for myself instead of a stranger making it for me. One day if I was going to marry a black man I wouldn’t even think of the fact that ‘my marriage wont last’ or my children will be biracial… that is completely up to me and I don’t want anybody else (mainly a complete stranger) to refuse to marry me due to the fact that they do not believe that it is the right thing to do.
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HAHAHAHAHA when I saw this judge featured on the news I couldn’t help but laugh. Not because it’s funny, well the situation is slightly humorous in an I really shouldn’t find this entertaining sort of way. I mean in a way I have to commend the judge for sticking to his moral or maybe it’s more ideological principles up until the very end regardless of all the media backlash and public scrutiny he was receiving. To him racism is defined as treating someone differently because of their race. Even a kindergartener could defend the judge saying that since he said no to both the man and the woman he was not being racist.
But looking at the society that we live in today and comparing it to the judge’s ideology is what truly amuses me about this piece. The judge stated that he would not marry the interracial couple because he was worried about them producing biracial offspring. Thank you sir for your great concern but last time I checked the PRESIDENT of our country was the product of an interracial union and I’d like to believe that he turned out pretty well. Besides just because he wouldn’t marry them doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t have biracial offspring. They could have biracial children outside of wedlock, they could adopt biracial children from across the globe, they could even go to the sperm bank and like Sam would talk about in class choose a donor that was Asian or Hispanic and be a truly multicultural family.
What I find most hilarious about the entire situation is the justice thinking that he really would prevent the union of Beth Humphrey and Terence McKay just because he denied them the right to get married to one another. When you love someone enough to want to commit to spending the rest of your life with that one person, you would be willing to move heaven and earth, endure any sort of trial, tribulation, or inconvenience that came your way just so you could be with them. Beth and Terence will end up married, hopefully happy, and hopefully able to have all the biracial children their little heart’s desire. This same mentality could be applied to the idea of gay marriage. I personally am all for everyone having equal rights protected under the law but because America is a fairly conservative country and I have my own moral convictions I don’t see why members of the LGBT community couldn’t deal with having the same legal rights without the title. As long as you get to be with the person you love isn’t that what is most important? Does it really matter if you get a little inconvienced every now and then? The love you share is what is most important and if your love is strong enough to desire marriage then like Beth and Terence you love should be willing to undergo anything.
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In our class survey, it seemed like most people leaned toward strongly agree, agree, or are neutral on the questions relating to having a mixed race child. Everyone has their own reasons and I am in no place to judge. For some the reason is just ignorance, while for others, the reasons are well-thought out and sensible. Regardless, it’s the individual’s decision with whom he wants his children conceived, not society, not culture, and not law.
The simplest argument against the judge’s decision not to marry the interracial couple is that it is simply not the place of government, in the case represented by the judicial system of which the judge is apart. The judge is denying the couple the constitutional right to marriage due to what he believes could happen – they could conceive children and those children, the narrow-minded would either be an abomination in their very existence, or a defect of societal diversification who would be picked on and suffer. Legally and ethically, it is neither for the public nor the law to decide who can and cannot marry and have children (In my opinion that also applies to gay marriage, but that is a completely different journal/rant.). Since, like many, the interracial couple could just as easily have children out of wedlock, it seems to me as though the judge has other biases that he won’t reveal as a public official who will be critiqued based on his biases. If anything the judge would be doing a service to society so any children the couple has would have a chance to grow up under happy, lovingly married parents rather than being torn between unmarried or potentially separated parents.
I think the judge is right in saying what he is doing is not racist, though I would have no way of knowing unless that racism were manifested directly – that is, I don’t know his true motives for not granting that marriage. It is however ignorance that an educated man and public official should no longer possess. Since his denial of their marriage is such an obvious and outright bias in his judgment, it is not only the ignorance of one man we should question, even if he has a post of power in this case, but it is the ignorance of those who made him a judge that we should analyze. His superiors and the public of that region are also to blame.
In my opinion, interracial marriage and children of mixed race are a positive step for society. That is not to say, intraracial marriage and an all-white or all-black child are inferior, but the more we are exposed to diversity, the more we are aware of it, understand it, and are accepting of it.
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I’m writing my journal entry in response to which was, “Love vs. Justice.” Okay, first of all that guy needs to be impeached if they can even do that to judges. Seriously? That’s none of his business if it’s going to be hard for the offspring because as of now there are none. People of different races get married everyday there is absolutely no reason why this particular couple couldn’t do it. And the other thing he said about high divorce rates? Again, these people are supposedly in love and want to get married they’re not trying to get a divorce give them a chance. I do remember in class when we talked about adopting a child of a different race or having a sperm of a different race. I personally would do it if I had no other options. If I wanted a child and physically couldn’t or whatever I would be grateful for anything just hopeful that they wouldn’t have an mental disabilities. I agree completely that people are more appreciative and more knowledgeable when they are born or brought up by parents or guardians of different race. They are more respectful and understand things more. It is no longer acceptable for people to be discriminating against interracial marriages. My sister for instance is white as well as myself and her boyfriend is black. She gets so much heat from my father’s side of the family for dating a black guy. She rarely comes to family functions because of past comments made and he refuses to accompany her to family things. Why does it matter who they love as long as they’re being treating each other respectfully and enjoy each other’s company? I think everyone seriously needs to sit back and take a quick reality check. It’s funny because they say that divorce rates are higher between couples of different races but, hmm….I wonder why? Could it be that maybe it’s because there are ignorant people out there who are making it so difficult for them? I give mad props to this couple for sticking it out and doing what they want. As for him saying he’s not a racist, the hell he’s not! He’s discriminating two innocent people who love each other because of the color of their skin. That definitely qualifies as being racist. For the topic in class I think a lot of people are racist and they’re not even aware of it. If you can’t have kids and someone is offering you a healthy child and that’s all you’ve really wanted to begin with why does it have to be so hard for them? Don’t make it hard and it won’t be. I think people need to start opening their eyes a little more.
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I am in complete shock by this article. I had no idea that a judge could deny a marriage license based on the race of the two people who are trying to get married. This is really outrageous to me and I cannot believe that it is legal. Like many people are saying, I thought one could only be denied a marriage license if they were in a gay relationship. I feel that’s wrong to. However, that is a complete separate topic. I feel that no one should be denied the right to marry whoever they want. As long as no one is trying to marry a child of course or the marriage is not consensual. Who are we to say who can or cannot be married?
Personally I feel that when one is in a position of power they should not make decisions based on personal beliefs. Just because the judge doesn’t believe in interracial marriages doesn’t mean he should be allowed to impose his decisions on others. That is so wrong and definitely should not be allowed. I don’t know if the judge is racist or not but what he did was morally wrong is believe. Also people of mixed race very rarely face issues in their life because of it. Maybe in the past that issue occurred more frequently however, we’re in the year 2009 I’m sure there are very few people of mixed race that have any issues with it.
I feel that to some level this is a form of racism. Race should never be an issue a judge looks at when declaring a marriage license. The races of the two people are and should be totally irrelevant. I also feel some people are making very good points. The judge said he wouldn’t marry them because they could potentially get divorced. That’s completely absurd. He’s certainly cannot foretell the future. He has no right denying two people a marriage license based on what he predicts will happen. This whole article just completely upsets me. I cannot believe this occurred and nothing was done about it. I feel the judge should have been forced to change his ruling and issue them a marriage license.
I’m sure the children of any interracial couple will be happy to have loving parents who care for them. The issue that their parents are of different races certainly would not concern them. If it concerned the people around them then they just need to get over it and ask themselves why that truly bothers them. There is nothing wrong with interracial relationships. People who are of different races should never have a problem trying to make the ultimate promise to one another.
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Wow this is completely a shocking news about denying these 2 couples marriage. I mean how does this work ? I almost could not believe of what he said in the video how he said he is not racist. Racist is when you treat black people different from white people. “Of course” he would not say the truth because he is a justice does not mean that that he would be honest every time he is on TV. This is just to keep him safe and people would not make a deal of this but I believe this article is very interesting so everyone that read through this article will always have their answer to this stupid decision that made by this brainless justice in Louisiana. Let me say this he is fully completely racist toward his attitude and he is just afraid to say it out because he knew that many people hate him by making this stupid decision. I have never knew there is such thing like this still exist in our society. I would not make it such a big deal if it was a gay marriage but this is completely insane and it is something exponentially bigger every single day in our society. This is very unfairly for the couples because love cannot be determined on such thing like this. This should have a better understand from the justice and we need people that can revote about their marriage license again. As much as I think about this I feel very upset of how this judge made such heartless decision. Even though they both didn’t get their marriage license this time but I hope later on in life they will because in the future they will have kids together. In the presence time moment they are not as old as in the their 40s or something but they still have many more years to come so by this justice decision I really hope it won’t affect their relationship at all. Seriously he need to get a new life. One other think I really hope that he will be aware of his wrong decision toward these 2 couples marriage license because I believe later on he will regret this decision. Right now he just couldn’t see the what’s going on his brand just, yet because this is still too early for him to be aware of his action and his attitude. I don’t think it is necessary for him to resign this 2 couple marriage license because it probably mean nothing unless he has to be aware of his wrong doing, therefore he need to get a big fines due his action and what he said on public.
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I read the blog posting “Love Vs. Justice” and surprisingly I did not hear about this story through any media outlets. At first thought I did think that this was outrageous, but I was one of the people who said I was not sure if I would adopt or use the sperm or egg of someone with a different ancestry than me. I never said that I would not, but it is one of those circumstances that I feel I cannot make an accurate judgment on without it actually happening. I think that having a child is important to me, but part of the reason I want to have a child is to have a part of me being instilled in that child. I know that an adoptive parent gives the same love and care to their children that they would if they were their biological parents; however, it is important for me to reproduce because I want to keep my family going. I cannot distinguish down the road how important it will be to me just to be a mother. I have always grown up and dreamed of having a family, like most girls I know, but the possibility of it being impossible has never really crossed my mind. I know that if I was one of those women who could not reproduce I would be devastated but I just do not know what my plan of action would be. I do not want to be hypocritical but I do think that what the judge is doing and what I may or may not do are two different things. The judge’s job is to grant people with marriage licenses, not discriminate because of his own opinions. I have heard from a number of places that soon most people will be bi racial within the next few decades. I do think that this is the direction that our country is heading. Although people do still turn to look when they see a white man or woman with a black man or woman I think that it is becoming more and more accepted as a part of our culture. I found the judge’s response very interesting when asked if he was racist. His definition of racism is a little skewed in my mind because he only talks about black people being treated different from white people, but he fails to recognize all the other races in the world. Although I still think his actions are wrong, he is treating the black man and the white woman the same by denying both of them their rights. The thing that is wrong in his logic is he says it will be hard for the kids, yet legally they are allowed to get married so someone will marry them eventually. I just do not understand why he would cause all this controversy when it is going to happen anyways.
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I think it’s absolutely insane that someone would refuse to give a biracial couple a marriage license but I am not surprised. Although we have come a long way in our view of race relations, there are still many people in 60+ years of age that were brought up in very segregated communities. These people are very stubborn and find it hard to change their point of view as they get older. I’m not saying these people can justify their beliefs, but I understand somewhat where they are coming from. I have elders in my own family that have very distinct views of biracial relationships.
I am a white female and I was just recently in a relationship with a Hispanic male. We were only together for a few months but I never experienced any negative reactions of bystanders. I am sure that my grandfather would have initially had a confused reaction if he met this guy. However, I truly believe that any of my close family members would be forced to really think about their reasoning and come to accept anything that made me happy.
I said that I would adopt a child of different ancestry and I would like to think I would use a sperm or egg from people of another ancestry but I know I would definitely have to think about the second scenario. I think I would be more comfortable if I had a child from my own egg and a sperm from another ancestry rather than having a complete foreign child in my body. I have no issue with the race of the baby, but I do think I would feel somewhat detached from the child at first, even after carrying it for 9 months.
Sam makes a really good point when he compares the statements of SOC 119 students to the Justice of the Peace. Although both instances are justified by “protection of the children”, I think the judge’s case is different because he affecting the other people directly, while the SOC 119 students would essentially only be affecting themselves by the decision. I wasn’t able to watch the video, but I would be interested in how genuine the man actually sounded. I wonder if he truly does not regret his actions or if he is just stubborn. Maybe he doesn’t want to sound like a hypocrite. No one wants to admit their faults. I hate the fact that his definition of “racist” is “when you treat black people differently than white people”. That sentence made me so angry and I can’t comprehend how people continue to think in these ways. This definition is obviously a racist’s narrow-minded definition of the word racism. You can tell that the person who said this was white. In general, I wonder how difficult it is for human beings to change their beliefs at different ages and what outside factors are associated with rate of change.
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Though this man says he is not racist I think he may be. Sure he says he isn’t but the fact that he refuses to marry the interracial couple makes it seem as if he is. I get how Sam Richards says that because he refuses to marry the black man to the white woman he is treating them equally and is probably not racist but would he marry a Hispanic man to a white woman? Also, I don’t think he should decide who can get married to who, his job is to do as asked with his opinion in mind but whether two people can get married or not should not be where his opinion comes into play.
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