Say 'no' to black-face costumes by staying silent

Earlier today, I posted the following on my personal Facebook page:

No surprise ... it is getting mixed reviews.

I understand Halloween is known for being creative - more so in recent years - but does creativity mean you poke fun at someone? Does it mean you take what is historically a racially insensitive act to prove how little our country has moved forward when it comes to racial equality and acceptance?

Why all the fuss?

For the past several days, the nation has heard the story of the Louisiana justice of the peace who refused to marry interracial couple Terence McKay, who is African-American, and Beth Humphrey, who is white. Keith Bardwell, an elected judge in the eastern part of the state, said he “recused himself from performing the ceremony” because he feared for the couple’s future children.

This was and still is a really sad incident that only seems to fuel the racism that despite what some who wear blindfolds may say, is alive and well in the world today.

But to be honest, I am somewhat surprised that people are so shocked about Bardwell’s actions.

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