Justice Bardwell's Illegal Prejudging of the Law

The Washington Times reported that a Louisiana justice of the peace, Keith Bardwell, refused to issue a nuptial license to an interracial couple ("La. justice won't marry interracial couple," Associated Press, Nation, Oct. 16). He made his decision because of what he claimed was empirical evidence that interracial marriages do not last long coupled with his conclusion that "most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society."

Mr. Bardwell was in clear violation of the law for discriminating against a couple because of his own biased, prejudicial beliefs. Most Americans tend to marry persons of the same race, yet nearly half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce.

The divorce rate is higher for cohabitating couples than for couples who abstain from fornication. Perhaps Mr. Bardwell should refrain from marrying persons who are living together? There are many societal complications that are behind divorce. While race can be a challenge, it can also inspire couples to be more devoted to each other.

It has been argued that most people, black and white, do not accept the idea of interracial relationships. I do not believe this is true. In 2008, millions of Americans of many ethnic backgrounds voted for President Obama. Black Americans overwhelmingly embraced Mr. Obama, and he would not have been elected president had it not been for the support of many white Americans. Quite clearly, America would be a better nation if we focused less on race.

Mr. Bardwell insists that he is not a racist, pointing out that he has done ceremonies for "black couples right here in my house." Only God knows Mr. Bardwell's heart, but he clearly has a mentality of racial separatism. Would he refuse to marry an interracial couple if one person were half-black? What about interracial couples of other ethnic backgrounds?

I believe that Mr. Bardwell is misguided and allowed his own dubious fears, personal experiences and prejudices to enable him to violate the law in preventing an interracial couple from marrying.