New York Congressman and Republican figure Mike Lawler is facing backlash after photographs surfaced showing him dressed in blackface at a Halloween party nearly two decades ago. The images, obtained by The New York Times, depict a 20-year-old Lawler, who is white, dressed as Michael Jackson with his face visibly darkened. The incident occurred in October 2006.
Lawler, now 38, did not deny the authenticity of the images.In a statement, he showed regret but insisted that his costume was a tribute to his “musical hero,” Michael Jackson, rather than an intentional act of racism. “The ugly practice of blackface was the furthest thing from my mind,” he said. “Let me be clear, this is not that. It was truly the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage.”
The congressman has often spoken about his admiration for Jackson, even recounting how he attended the pop star’s 2005 trial for child molestation charges. However, the newly revealed photos are the first known instance of him darkening his skin to resemble the Black musician, a practice widely regarded as racist.
The timing of the controversy could prove damaging for Lawler, who is gearing up for a tough re-election battle in a swing district. His opponent, Mondaire Jones, a Black former congressman, may seize upon the images in a race that is expected to draw national attention.
The blackface photos were reportedly shared on Facebook in 2006 and later circulated among Lawler’s classmates at Manhattan College, now known as Manhattan University. Witnesses familiar with the incident told The New York Times that Lawler had borrowed bronzer from female classmates to complete the costume. One photo shows him wearing a red jacket reminiscent of Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” video and striking a signature dance pose.
Although Lawler has apologised to anyone who took offence, he maintained that his intentions were misunderstood. “I am a student of history, and for anyone who takes offence to the photo, I am sorry,” he said. “All you can do is live and learn.”
Historians note that while Lawler’s costume appears to be a tribute rather than a deliberate attempt to mock or denigrate Black Americans, it remains problematic. “There’s always an entitlement — a racist privilege — behind the blackface mask,” said Dr Eric Lott, a cultural historian at the City University of New York.
Dr Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor, a historian at Smith College and the daughter of comedian Richard Pryor, shared similar sentiments. “There’s a danger to it even when it might be a homage,” she said, warning that such acts cannot be dismissed as harmless, even if not intended to offend.
Mike Lawler gained national prominence in 2022 after defeating a powerful Democrat in a left-leaning district.