By Rockland News Editorial Staff
CONGERS, NY – We don’t even know where to begin with this article.
On Thursday, Representative Mike Lawler of New York faced criticism after a photo resurfaced from 2006, showing him in blackface while impersonating Michael Jackson. The image, first reported by The New York Times, shows Lawler as a college student dressed as Jackson from the singer’s iconic Thriller video, with his face painted dark brown.
The incident has gained attention as Lawler is currently campaigning for re-election in a politically challenging district. His opponent, former Representative Mondaire Jones, is a Democrat of Black Heritage, adding to the sensitive nature of the controversy. Lawler represents a district that voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, and his seat is considered highly competitive.
In response to the backlash, Lawler apologized during an interview with CNN – and reported widely by NBC and CBS, acknowledging that his actions were inappropriate. “I can’t change what happened 18 years ago, but I certainly — with wisdom and age — understand that that is not something I would do today, and certainly understand why people would be upset or offended by it. And for that I’m sorry,” Lawler stated.
However, Lawler’s explanation drew further criticism when he went on to describe his decision to dress as Jackson as an attempt to pay homage to the late musician, rather than an act of malice. “There was no effort to malign or make fun of or disparage Black Americans. It was really an effort to pay homage to somebody who was a musical idol for me,” Lawler said, pointing out that he is a longtime fan of Jackson’s music.
Lawler attempted to clarify his stance on blackface when pressed by CNN host Kaitlan Collins, asserting that he does not believe it is acceptable for a white person to wear blackface under any circumstances. He continued to draw a distinction between his actions and the historically racist tradition of minstrel shows, which used blackface to demean and dehumanize Black people.
“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,” Lawler explained.
The resurfaced photo and Lawler’s comments have fueled ongoing discussions about race, representation, and accountability, particularly as Lawler seeks to maintain his seat in a district that has recently shown considerable Democratic support. Lawler concluded his remarks by reiterating his apology, while emphasizing that his intentions were not meant to be offensive.