GOP Congressman Who Wore Blackface Says He Wanted To ‘Pay Homage’ To Music Idol

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) has apologized after The New York Instances obtained photos that confirmed him in blackface for a Halloween costume whereas attending Manhattan School (now Manhattan College) in 2006.

Lawler, who’s working for reelection towards Black Democrat and former Rep. Mondaire Jones in a New York swing district, seems with a darkened face in {a photograph} that exhibits him carrying a “Thriller” music video-like purple jacket as a part of a Michael Jackson costume.

Lawler, in an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Thursday, mentioned he can’t change what occurred 18 years in the past however he understands it’s not one thing he’d do immediately and why folks could be offended by it.

“For that, I’m sorry, however for me, there was no ailing intent. There was no effort to malign or make enjoyable of or disparage Black Individuals,” Lawler mentioned.

“It was actually an effort to pay homage to anyone who was a musical idol for me.”

Lawler, in an announcement to the Instances, referred to his purpose with the costume as “really the sincerest type of flattery” to Jackson whereas noting that the “ugly follow of blackface was the furthest factor from” his thoughts.

“Let me be clear, this isn’t that,” he mentioned.

Lawler — who is called a super-fan of the pop icon — is expert in moonwalking, attended one in every of Jackson’s Madison Sq. Backyard exhibits in 2001 and had flown from New York to California in highschool to attend a few of his 2005 felony trial.

Jackson was charged with molesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland Ranch property on the time. He would later be acquitted on all fees.

J. Randy Taraborrelli — a Jackson biographer who helped get the longer term congressman into the courtroom — wrote in his e book that Lawler was eliminated after he muttered “one thing derogatory below his breath” whereas feeling “disgusted” by testimony towards the pop icon, the Instances famous.

Lawler, in his interview with Collins, argued there’s a “stark distinction” between dressing up for Halloween for the aim of an “homage” and dressing up in blackface to demean Black folks.

Collins famous that former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, who was as soon as the main target of a blackface scandal himself, additionally had admitted to darkening his face for a Jackson costume.

She requested Lawler what he’d inform Black folks in his district who’re bothered by his Jackson costume.

“I perceive how this may be very upsetting to anyone. And so, definitely, I do apologize for that,” he replied.