ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — U.S. Representative Mike Lawler expressed regret on Thursday following the New York Times’ publication of old photos showing him in blackface from a Halloween costume party nearly twenty years ago, where he dressed as the iconic pop star Michael Jackson.
The revelation comes at a critical time for Lawler, a first-term Republican who is currently engaged in a closely contested reelection campaign for his congressional seat representing New York’s Hudson Valley.
In a statement to The Associated Press, Lawler characterized himself as a lifelong fan of Jackson and explained that his intention was to pay tribute to the singer. “When I tried to replicate Michael’s legendary dance moves at a college Halloween party eighteen years ago, the offensive practice of blackface was not on my mind. I want to emphasize that my costume was meant as a genuine homage to one of my childhood idols,” he clarified.
Lawler further stated, “I am a student of history, and I apologize to anyone who finds the photograph offensive. One can only learn from experiences like these, and I’m grateful for the grace others have shown me along the way.”
The Times noted that the photo was taken in 2006 when Lawler was just 20 years old. The image shown in the article depicts Lawler wearing a red jacket and mimicking one of Jackson’s famous dance poses while using bronzer to darken his complexion.
Mike Lawler’s admiration for Michael Jackson has been well-documented. An article by The Daily Beast last year detailed how Lawler, at the age of 18, traveled from New York to California to attend Jackson’s criminal trial following allegations of child molestation. According to the biographer’s recount, Lawler was so disturbed by some of the testimonies that he allegedly muttered a derogatory remark and was subsequently removed from the courtroom.
Reflecting on his experiences, Lawler mentioned that one of his fondest memories was attending a Michael Jackson concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
As he navigates his challenging race against former U.S. Representative Mondaire Jones, who is Black, Lawler’s past actions may come under scrutiny. Lawler first won his congressional seat in 2022 and has gained visibility through regular appearances on cable news channels.
It’s worth noting that the practice of blackface originated in the 1830s in New York City, becoming a popular form of entertainment among white performers after the Civil War, despite being widely recognized as offensive to Black individuals from the outset.
Various politicians and public figures have faced backlash for their use of blackface, prompting ongoing discussions about race and representation in popular culture.
