The Source with Kaitlan Collins: 2006 Photo Shows GOP Rep. Mike Lawler In Blackface

Interview

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Well, Kaitlan, thanks for having me.

Yesterday, I attended the funeral for the father of a friend. And when we went to the cemetery to bury him, we were approaching, and it turns out his gravestone is going to be right behind my dad's.

And on my dad's gravestone, it says, God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Obviously, 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.

But, for me, there was no ill intent. 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. I've always loved Michael Jackson's music, and his dance moves, and his ability to entertain. Anyone who knows me knows that. And people who come visit my D.C. office can see today of a Andy Warhol painting of Michael Jackson hanging in my office.

So, this was really not what I think would -- could truly be construed as a blackface. But I certainly understand why people would be offended by it. And for that, I'm sorry.

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No, of course not. And, in this instance, as I said to The New York Times, I had used a friend's bronzer, you know? But again, obviously, 18 years later, I certainly reflect upon and understand that -- how that can be construed.

But 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, which is what minstrel shows and blackface historically was about. And that's obviously not what I was doing there.

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Well, look, certainly, and I have spoken to many of my constituents today, and in discussing it with them, and certainly understand how someone would take offense. And for that, I do apologize.

Because, to me, obviously, given the history in America, and given what we have seen with slavery, with racism, and the civil rights movement, obviously we should not and cannot tolerate the demeaning and dehumanization of Black people. And that is not something, certainly, that I would do or engage in or tolerate.

And so, again, I understand how this can be very upsetting to somebody. And so, certainly, I do apologize for that.

But for me, obviously, I think intent here is important. And there is a difference between when Governor Northam as a college student dressed up in blackface, standing next to somebody in a KKK hood, versus obviously me paying homage to Michael Jackson.

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Look, I -- J. Randy Taraborrelli is a friend. I worked as a researcher, if you will, for him, when he was covering the case for CBS News. At the time, I had gone out to California, to visit colleges with my family, and ended up coming up to the trial, for one day.

And I was in the courtroom. And the mother, at that point, the mother of the accuser, had testified that Michael Jackson was going to steal her children in a hot air balloon. And so, I muttered under my breath, Yes, OK. And did get removed from the courtroom. And obviously, not a -- not ideal.

But, to me, ultimately, obviously, in that case, a jury heard the trial, and he was acquitted.

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Thanks, Kaitlan. Appreciate it.

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