A viral image of Rep. Mike Lawler has drawn intense scrutiny that shows him wearing blackface at a Halloween party in 2006. The New York Republican, who's in the running for re-election, can be seen dressed in a red jacket, black shirt, and blue jeans, posing like Michael Jackson. The New York Times published the image on October 3. Lawler, who was 20 at the time, has since apologized for it.
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Regardless of his apology, the internet was as cutthroat as ever. Many took to X to denigrate Mike Lawler:
"It’s really not that hard to never do this as a white person," one user stated.
Soon, scores of netizens began echoing the same, as one after the other scrutinized his past actions.
"This was in 2006, he should've BEEN known," one user pointed out.
"For the record, Jackson has always been black, regardless of the ravaging impact of his autoimmune disorders, lupus and vitiligo, on his skin tone. No matter the situation, blackface is as immensely disrespectful as diminishing a person’s blackness," another iterated.
"I may be naïve, but I went to the University of North Carolina in the 80s, and I don’t ever remember seeing anybody in black face,. I’m sure it happened, we did have fraternities, but the idea that in 2006, it would be not noticed or commented on is insane," yet another reckoned.
However, some took to Mike Lawler's defense, pointing out that it was ages ago when he was just a teenager.
"Please this is almost 20 years ago when this guy was close to being a teenager. Can we accept times were different and not do this," one user claimed.
"Was there a need to wear blackface for a MJ costume in 2006?" another asked.
"I really couldn’t care less. Far more important issues to focus on. He doesn’t have a history that suggests this was anything other than bad judgment," one user brushed it off.
Representative Mike Lawler apologizes, claims it's because he was a history student
Representative Mike Lawler is up against Mondaire Jones, a Black former congressman, in his bid for re-election this fall. The two are competing for a suburban swing seat, and according to The Hill, the district is expected to be "a toss-up."
In a statement to the outlet, Mike Lawler said that same day:
"When attempting to imitate Michael’s iconic dance moves at a college Halloween party eighteen years ago, the ugly practice of black face was the furthest thing from my mind. Let me be clear, this is not that.”
He continued, noting that his outfit was because of his longstanding love for Jackson.
"Rather, my costume was intended as the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage to one of my childhood idols since I was a little kid trying to moonwalk through my Mom’s kitchen. I am a student of history and for anyone who takes offense to the photo, I am sorry. All you can do is live and learn, and I appreciate everyone’s grace along the way.”
In recent years, Mike Lawler is not the only one to face backlash for resorting to inflammatory practices, such as the governor of Virginia in 2019, Ralph Northam. When an image of him dressed in Ku Klux Klan robes and blackface, he refuted allegations claiming it was him.
However, he did reveal that he once used shoe polish to render his face darker for a dance competition in the 1980s, when he too wanted to dress up as Michael Jackson. He nearly lost his job after the whole kerfuffle. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Radio host Howard Stern have also faced backlash in the same vein.
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