Source: Tom Williams / Getty
A Republican congressman from New York was confronted with pictures of him wearing blackface as part of a Michael Jackson costume.
On Thursday (Oct. 3), Republican Congressman Mike Lawler found himself caught up in controversy when pictures of him in blackface for a Halloween portrayal of Michael Jackson were published. The publication of the photos by the New York Times, taken in October 2006, show Lawler at a gathering at Manhattan College striking a pose similar to a signature pose of Jackson’s, and another of him wearing a red jacket and black t-shirt with his face noticeably darkened. According to a former classmate who remained anonymous, Lawler used bronzer, which he borrowed from a female classmate.
In a statement, the representative for New York’s 17th district including the Hudson Valley said that his costume was “truly the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage to my musical hero since I was a little kid trying to moonwalk through my mom’s kitchen.” Lawler has been an avowed fan of the late superstar, with Jackson biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli having arranged for him to attend Jackson’s criminal trial in 2005 for the alleged molestation of a 13-year-old boy. Taraborrelli would later detail how Lawler was so upset “that he couldn’t help but mutter something derogatory under his breath.” He would then be kicked out of the courtroom.
Lawler appeared on CNN later in the evening on The Source with Kaitlan Collins. “I certainly understand why people would be upset or offended by it, and for that, I’m sorry,” he said, before remarking that he felt his photos weren’t what could be “construed as blackface.” “I think there is a stark difference between dressing up for Halloween and paying homage to somebody you like and respect, versus dressing up in blackface to demean and dehumanize Black people. That’s obviously not what I was doing there,” Lawler said. Collins would then go into the “ugly history” of the practice, noting that Lawler’s suburban district is home to 59,000 Black residents.
The controversy arises as Lawler is up for reelection against former congressman Mondaire Jones. Lawler has shifted to a more moderate position in recent months, being vague about his full support of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Jones, who is Black, has hammered him on that support in his campaign. The district is one observers are watching closely as a possible flip back to Democratic control in November.
