Google Apologizes For Racist Image of Michelle Obama
In case you missed the hoopla–yes I said hoopla–a Google image search for first lady Michelle Obama delivers a rather disturbing, racist photo to the top of the page. In fact, it’s the very first photo. The photo in question, which provides an unfortunate rendering of Mrs. Obama crossed with some form of primate, hails from a blog called “Hot Girls”–a blog that’s undoubtedly gotten more attention in the past few days than most blogs get in their lifespan.
In response, Google has apologized for the image, but has not taken it down. According to a BBC report, the Internet giant placed a qualification over the results that reads “Offensive Search Results”. When users click on the statement, it leads to a further explanation and apology for the image.
Google cites that it does not remove images based on complaints and stands behind the integrity of its algorithm.
The White House has not commented on the situation. It’s interesting, however, that despite a rather quiet first 10 months in office, Obama is still so damn smooth and powerful that even a ginormous corporation like Google gets down on its knees and throws out a quick apologize while he stands silent. [via BBC]
