Contradicting One's Self in the Space of Two Sentences Quote of the Day
"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way."
Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, explaining his refusal to marry an interacial couple, as quoted in an AP article. One hopes that Mr. Bardwell, who supports his claim that he is not a racist by saying that he lets "black friends...use my bathroom," will lose his position immediately. In fact, if this abuse of his position of public trust is not a crime that would result in jail time, it should be.
Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, explaining his refusal to marry an interacial couple, as quoted in an AP article. One hopes that Mr. Bardwell, who supports his claim that he is not a racist by saying that he lets "black friends...use my bathroom," will lose his position immediately. In fact, if this abuse of his position of public trust is not a crime that would result in jail time, it should be.
posted by MCO at 7:14 AM
2 Comments:
His reasoning has to do with statistics involving the children of interracial couples. He thinks he is protecting future children from the bigotry of both families and both groups of people. Also, statistically, there is a higher rate of divorce among interracial couples than not. I don't believe this judge is a racist- socially ignorant, but not a racist. However, the law states no one in government may prevent an adult male and female from getting married; so his misguided protectionism is not only politically and socially incorrect, but it's also illegal.
Frequently, socially ignorant beliefs and actions arise from attempts to rationalize or justify racist attitudes. I suspect that is the case in this instance.
Post a Comment
<< Home