this is why people talk bad about Louisiana (Shreveport, Monroe: 2009, buy)

[eatfastnoodle]

Interracial couple denied marriage license in La. - Yahoo! News

and I bet this guy is as loud spoken as anyone when it comes to "government sticking its nose into people's lives".

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by eatfastnoodle

Interracial couple denied marriage license in La. - Yahoo! News

and I bet this guy is as loud spoken as anyone when it comes to "government sticking its nose into people's lives".

You beat me to it. I just found that article a few minutes ago. That man claims to not be a racist but he won't marry a couple because they are interracial. Sounds like racism to me. The argument of "it's bad for the children", well, I don't buy it. My parents aren't an interracial couple and I still caught alot of crap for being black(and sometimes I still do, but often it's passive-aggressive). Any argument that man had I don't buy it. Unfortunately, there are still many people who think that way.

[soulful]

This is shocking and I hope the couple takes their complaint as high as legally possible.

Unbelievable in the year 2009..

[Lovely95]

Awww, that breaks my heart.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by soulful

This is shocking and I hope the couple takes their complaint as high as legally possible.

Unbelievable in the year 2009..

It comes as a shock, but 23 years of living, not to mention running into alot of people with racist attitudes towards interracial marriages makes me look at this as not surprising at all. Actually, my first reaction was anger. I was angry because it reminded of a place I used to live in, where there were actually people who would claim that interracial marriages were wrong. I am not surprised by this, just angry.

[tablemtn]

Looks like it's making global news...

Anger at US mixed marriage 'ban' - BBC News UK

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by tablemtn

Looks like it's making global news...

Anger at US mixed marriage 'ban' - BBC News UK

It isn't technically a "ban", but the rest of the world does not view the USA as heriocally as we would all like to believe. These kinds of marriages have been banned in the South as well as other parts of the USA. Alabama didn't even repeal its law against interracial marriage until 2000.

[LOUISIANA'SLEGEND]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

It comes as a shock, but 23 years of living, not to mention running into alot of people with racist attitudes towards interracial marriages makes me look at this as not surprising at all. Actually, my first reaction was anger. I was angry because it reminded of a place I used to live in, where there were actually people who would claim that interracial marriages were wrong. I am not surprised by this, just angry.

And you shouldnt be surprised. Segregration still lives in the Louisiana(white flights: Shreveport/Bossier, Alexandria/Pineville, Monroe/West Monroe. check the demographics!!!!) Thats just Louisiana, but with that said you cant actually blame the guy for doing his job.

Its very common for people here to say, I went to an all white school/black school, or say i grew up around all blacks/whites. So when one race crosses over, its very overwhelming for the other to take it in.

Im gonna go against the grain and say, I understand why he did it and I'll give you a few reasons.

1. SOCIETY WILL EAT THEM ALIVE IN LOUISIANA If you live in Louisiana you kno for a fact people will frown up at an interracial couple. If it was up to me I'd be hesitant to issue a marriage license too, unless they gave me strong evidence that you can handle the pressure of a society that doesnt approve of it. Theyre children indeed may get picked on about what color they are.(you act too white or too black, or dam do I have to pick a color?)

2. CULTURE OF COLORS Living in Louisiana you know culture is very strong, but your background will determine what type of culture you adopt. African culture and black indian cultures are very strong here in Louisiana. The creole, cajun, european cultures are strong also. The thing is alot of it historically are associated with its own kind and not mixing with others. Now I know these days we as a people have lighten up a little as far as sharing and mixing cultures, even Mr Bradwell (the punk who didnt issue the marriage license to the interrracial couple), says he has black friends who are understood are not interracially married. He might laugh and joke around with them, but you think he's going to gladly, openly involve them in his cultures? better yet will they? will either one of them even want to enjoy each others cultures while the opposite "culturite" are involved? Not likely. What im trying to say is, one thing to consider in an interracial relationship is the potential culture clash which can be a constant issue. The couple will forever have to deal with the issue of racial culture within there marriage which may cause grounds for separation or divorce

3. ITS LOUISIANA, DUH. Louisiana is old school, we change very slowly as far as history. People are still accustom to the old was of segregation and believe races shouldnt mix as much. Its doesnt even have to be about race, how about gays? You say you are gay here, society will equally eat you alive as quick as they will a mixed couple. Its just simply hard to bring the new century to Louisiana without a painful struggle.

4. ALWAYS TAKE WAY OF THE LAND IN CONSIDERATION. When you make a decision here in this state, especially business moves, always consider the ways of the land. Mr. Bradwell's and the couple's life could have been threaten based on the decision that was made. Both lives may get harrassed, discrimated against, or threated by supremacy groups, elitist, civil rights people, etc. Lets not forget about Jena 6 and all the other incident that spurred from racism in this state. Mr. Bradwell may have a very valid reason to say do what he did, I think so considering how this state is.

Hard to say what you'd do or even make an opinon until you consider those things. I tell you what though, Id follow my heart and I'd give the license, but as a Louisiana resident I know to be very cautious and aware of what may come about because I went against the grains of Louisiana.

[MetroBTR]

Here's an idea for them. Get "married" by a different justice of the peace.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by MetroBTR

Here's an idea for them. Get "married" by a different justice of the peace.

And, in fact, isn't that what he said ? I don't agree with what he did, but it's not like he was the final word on the matter - he told the couple he personally wouldn't marry them:

Interracial couple denied marriage license in Louisiana