New York Congressman blasted for wearing blackface as part of a Michael Jackson costume

“The ugly practice of blackface was the furthest thing from my mind. Let me be clear, this is not that,” said Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.)

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) faces backlash after a picture surfaced of him in blackface while dressed up as pop icon Michael Jackson for a college Halloween gathering in 2006.

Lawler, a freshman lawmaker, has since apologized and stated that the costume was intended to be “the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage to my musical hero since I was a little kid trying to moonwalk through my mom’s kitchen."

“The ugly practice of blackface was the furthest thing from my mind,” he said. “Let me be clear, this is not that.”

Lawler added, “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.”

According to Lawler’s spokesperson, the congressman is a huge Jackson fan.

“It’s true that Congressman Lawler—who is known to have performed the Moonwalk once or twice—is a fan of Michael Jackson’s music and even attended one of his last concerts at Madison Square Garden in 2001,” said the spokesperson.

A year before the blackface incident, Lawler also reportedly flew to California to attend Jackson’s trial on molestation charges while he was a high schooler. He was removed from the courtroom after allegedly making a derogatory statement.

Lawler is currently running for re-election against former Democratic Congressman Mondaire Jones, a Black man who previously represented Lawler’s district. Some speculate this could negatively impact his run for office.

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