For the first time since the blackface incident involving New York Congressman Mike Lawler came to light, his Democratic rival in the upcoming election, Mondaire Jones, has shared his perspective on the situation.
“Mike Lawler knew exactly what he was doing,” Jones stated. The former U.S. Representative is currently engaged in a close race against Lawler, a Republican, in New York’s 17th district in the Hudson Valley.
Lawler had initially issued an apology, claiming he was a devoted fan of Michael Jackson and was trying to honor the pop star. “When I attempted to imitate Michael’s legendary dance moves at a college Halloween party eighteen years ago, the ugly practice of blackface was the furthest thing from my mind. This was meant to be a genuine homage to one of my childhood idols,” he explained. He expressed remorse to anyone offended, saying, “All you can do is live and learn, and I appreciate everyone’s grace along the way.”
On Friday, Lawler elaborated on his apology, acknowledging that he understands why people found the act offensive. “In hindsight, I certainly recognize how people would portray that and be offended by it,” he said.
The congressman did not dispute that he darkened his face for a costume to emulate the singer at a Halloween party in 2006, when he was 20. “I dressed up as my musical idol, Michael Jackson. [I] had the red leather jacket and took a friend’s bronzer and applied some makeup,” he recounted.
Lawler, who was elected in 2022 and has become a familiar face on cable news, has long been known for his admiration of Jackson. He mentioned having a wall of heroes in his Washington D.C. office, including an Andy Warhol painting of Jackson. “The intent was in no way to demean or malign black Americans but to pay homage to the greatest entertainer of all time,” he asserted. “I wish this didn’t happen but you know, hindsight is 20-20. I wouldn’t do it now, but I can’t change what happened 18 years ago.”
Lawler’s fondness for Jackson was highlighted in a previous report which revealed that he traveled to California at 18 to attend the pop star’s criminal trial.
Jones, who is Black, expressed skepticism about Lawler’s apology. “He knew it was wrong, and is only upset because he got caught doing it,” he stated.
The two candidates are set to debate four times before Election Day, during which the blackface controversy is likely to be a central topic of discussion. Blackface minstrelsy has a long and offensive history dating back to the 1830s in New York City, and it remains a contentious issue.