What Year Is This?

I haven't been compelled to set figurative pen to paper for a while. I suppose if you don't have a weekly deadline, complacency has a tendency to rear it's ugly head and not much gets done. But, there was a news story recently, that, initially started my blood boiling. Then I realized how ridiculously backward the thinking was and calmed down, realizing that this was the kind of incident that can make a gypsy violin cry and then laugh.

Dateline:Tangipahoa's 8th ward in Louisiana where Justice of the Peace ( a misnomer if I've ever heard one) Keith Bardwell refused to perform a marriage ceremony for a couple because she was white and he was black. My first response was to once again to resurrect that great American Scooby Doo - “HUH?” Then I thought, “Hey, wait a minute. What year is this?” I just couldn't believe what I was reading.

The guy said that his reason was that he was concerned about their potential offspring and that he wanted no part in that kind of a future. Heaven forbid one of those poor partial pickaninnies should grow up and suffer the same fate as some....like becoming President of the United States.

He later stated that he would not apologize for something that he didn't feel he had done wrong, adding that he was not a racist, but....Anyone who starts a sentence with, “I am not a racist, but...” generally is. He supposedly proved his point by saying that he has married many black couples and they have even used his bathroom. I'm sure he fully expected them to clean it as well. “And, could you straighten up the family room and vacuum while you're at it?”

My wife is black – I am not. I suppose that puts us well within the definition of an “interracial couple,” although, I have always taught my children that there is only one race and that is the human race. That's what I have always written on any form or application that asks for “race.” I believe that the only thing “inter” about our marriage is that she is a woman and I am a man.

I don't believe my kids have suffered too much. Let me check. My oldest daughter is a doctor whose practice is thriving to the point that she's been told it may have to become a closed practice (no more patients accepted) within a year. My second oldest is the mother of two amazing children who is home schooling and doing exceedingly well. My 3rd oldest daughter (who has been a model since she was 18 months old) graduated from the University of North Texas in three years, with honors. She is now working on her Masters degree in psychology at SMU and will be finishing that program early as well. My youngest daughter is a freshman in high school where she has the distinction of being the first freshman in the school's history to be named first chair flute in the orchestra. She is also getting top grades in Honors and AP classes where she is doing college level work along side juniors and seniors. These poor kids....Oh, the humanity.

My hat is off to Governor Jindal of Louisiana, who is calling for Bardwell's ouster. The guy has absolutely no remorse and refuses to change his archaic attitudes. For him, nothing will change. I understand that he and his family are going out tonight and, by god, the plan to party like it's 1959.



THAT'S HOW I FEEL WHAT CAN I TELL YA'