Super fan Rep. Mike Lawler apologizes for Michael Jackson blackface at college Halloween party: Sincerest form of flattery
Freshman GOP Rep.Mike Lawler said Thursday he let his enthusiasm as a Michael Jackson “super fan” get the best of him after old photos of him posing as the “Thriller” hitmaker while in blackface at a Halloween party were reported by the New York Times.The Times released one of two photos posted to the Facebook page of the now-Rockland County lawmaker, with his face and neck darkened by a female classmates’ bronzer, at a Manhattan College gathering in 2006.
Lawler was imitating Jackson’s iconic dance moves in a red leather jacket, black shirt and blue jeans.“As has been well-documented — most recently by the Daily Beast — I was a so-called ‘Super Fan’ of Michael Jackson, so much so that I was mentioned by name in his biography for my outspoken support of him and the Jackson Family,” Lawler said in a statement.“I loved Michael’s music, was awed by him as a performer, and by his impact on pop culture.One of my greatest memories is attending his concert at MSG before his untimely death,” he went on.
“When attempting to imitate Michael’s legendary dance moves at a college Halloween party eighteen years ago, the ugly practice of black face [sic] was the furthest thing from my mind.Let me be clear, this is not that.”“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,” he 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.”The images could be a stumbling block for Lawler in his close re-election race against former Democratic Rep.
Mondaire Jones, who is black, to rep the 17th Congressional District in New York.The most recent public poll gave the Republican a two-percentage-point advantage.Michael Jackson biographer J.Randy Taraborrelli wrote of Lawler’s appearance at t...