by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 25th, 2009

Question

Help answer this question below.

Was Google right to remove racist Michelle Obama image? See LINK:

This question references this URL.

Like
Report

Share:: Facebook; Twitter; Other

Answers. 9 helpful answers below.

by TWA on November 25th, 2009
Google didn't remove it, and for good reason. Google's not going to limit people's searches just because certain people don't like what they'll find. The issue is with the owner of the image, not Google. (The owner of the image removed it from the site, btw.)
Comments
- You're quite right. Thanks for correcting the question. Too late to edit it, albeit.
  
  Report
  
  by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 25th, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by Anonymous on November 25th, 2009
Im not racist in any way but why has this been regarded as racist. theres images of George Bush and many other celebs and politicians on the net as 'monkeys' and other animals. So why is this regarded as Racist, its political madness - No wonder there is so much uproar in the world when something this stupid is being regarded as racist! There are far more important things to be thinking about than a stupid picture that has been regarded has racist. Pathetic Madness!
Comments
- Using monkey images as a caricature of blacks has deep history in Jim Crow attitudes and as inspiration for KKK lynchings and violence. But I agree, the images we saw spread around of President Bush as a chimp were deeply offensive as well and have no place in the political exchange.
  
  Report
  
  by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 25th, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by Factotum on November 25th, 2009
I believe they were right to not remove the image. Google runs a search engine which measures hits and delivers data based on that. Trying to 'clean' those hits of racism, sexism, offenses to Christianity, Islam, Hinduism etc would take more resources than they have. For them to attempt to do it would make them responsible for the impossible. There are probably many similar images mocking people with considerably less clout than Michelle Obama. For Google to address only hers would suggest that she is in some way more deserving of protection. I would argue that she is LESS deserving of protection as she has access to lawyers and is protected by the Secret Service.
Comments
- Thanks. Good points.
  
  Report
  
  by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 25th, 2009
- "The White House has declined to comment."
  .
  Perfect handling.
  
  Report
  
  by Factotum on November 25th, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
2 comments | Post one | Permalink
by Cowboy-Matter of Fact on November 25th, 2009
No. It's done across the board.
Comments
- Google didn't remove it, in fact. The guy who posted it on his blog did.
  
  Report
  
  by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 25th, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by The Anonymous Witch on November 25th, 2009
would it even matter if she was white .. ?
Comments
- I think it would be offensive to caricature any First Lady in such a way. But using it as a political weapon against blacks ties in to the Jim Crow images used to inspire lynchings in the past.
  
  Report
  
  by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 25th, 2009
- i think if it was ignored ,,, less people would do it ;-)
  
  Report
  
  by The Anonymous Witch on November 25th, 2009
- Perhaps. But history suggests that bigotry doesn;t often cure itself. It needs to be called out and exposed for what it it to be defeated.
  
  Report
  
  by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 26th, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
3 comments | Post one | Permalink
by Anonymous on November 25th, 2009
Google was not right or wrong. They are a private business and should do what they want in their business. This is true even when it becomes blatantly obvious that they are attempting to hinder free speech. Large corporations do this all the time in order to promote their pet political agenda.
Comments
- True. Media is under no requirement to publish or not publish. THey have the right to decide what content to present so long as it is legal to publish it.
  
  Report
  
  by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 25th, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by bolwerk on November 26th, 2009
What was the image? I never saw it.
Comments
- I haven't seen it either. Apparently is was a picture of her that someone had Photoshopped to add monkey feathers to her face.
  
  Report
  
  by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 26th, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
1 comment | Post one | Permalink
by Suby the Coat on November 25th, 2009
The last I read about the image was in the BBC.
Google's stand was that the image will be removed only if it was legally required to do so.
The Gurdian link you give says the image has been removed. Unable to ascertain which image was removed and from where!
The White House had declined to comment on the controversial image according to BBC.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8377922.stm

I don't understand where the racism remark got inserted into pictures of an innocuous evening dress the first lady was wearing for a State Dinner in the White House!
Could you enlighten me, please!
Comments
- The picture in question was one of Michelle Obama phot edited to give her monkey-faced features.
  
  Report
  
  by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 25th, 2009
- Is that photshopped picture available anywhere now? Was it someone else who photo edited it with a racist intent?
  
  Report
  
  by Suby the Coat on November 25th, 2009
- It was on some blog. I understand the blog owner took it down after the controversy erupted. I would expect it to show up again, as I am sure some racists and Obama haters saved it and would actually welcome the controversy reposting it would provoke. I've no idea who edited it.
  
  Report
  
  by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 25th, 2009
- Most unfortunate things are happening, Jim.
  
  Report
  
  by Suby the Coat on November 25th, 2009
- So true.
  
  Report
  
  by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 25th, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
5 comments | Post one | Permalink
by Suby the Coat on November 25th, 2009
My ideas about racism is still not well developed and I have not had much exposure to this problem.
Still I fail to see how the picture in the link could be racially offensive.
Would someone kindly explain the matter to me?
I will say Google's stand is the right one unless convinced otherwise.
Comments
- That's not the picture the article is about. That's a picture they grabbed from the State Dinner last night with your Prime Minister just to illustrate the article.
  
  Report
  
  by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 25th, 2009
- You explained to me elsewhere it was photoshopped to make it offensive, Jim.
  
  Report
  
  by Suby the Coat on November 25th, 2009
- Putting it here to for the benefit of others who migh read the thread.
  
  Report
  
  by Jim in a Nautilus COAT on November 25th, 2009
- Right you are. This is one topic that interests a lot of people, either way.
  
  Report
  
  by Suby the Coat on November 25th, 2009
Add a comment...
- Like
- Report
4 comments | Post one | Permalink

Question

Was Google right to remove racist Michelle Obama image? See LINK:

Answers. 9 helpful answers below.

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Michelle Obama goes glam for state dinner . What do you think of the Naeem Khan design? See LINK to IMAGE:

Why do people say that Michelle Obama is racist? Is she? Can you show me some proof?

From what you have seen on TV, do you think that Michelle Obama is a racist?

Should Michelle Obama soften her image?

Why are people bothered by Michelle Obama exercising her right to "bare" arms?

Professionally Researched

Who manufactures Anne Michelle shoes?

Where did Michelle Obama meet Barack Obama?

Who designed Michelle Obama's dress for the Neighborhood Ball?

How long have Barack& Michelle Obama been married?

Who designed Michelle Obama's inauguration night dress?

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Answerbag.com
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!

Question

Was Google right to remove racist Michelle Obama image? See LINK:

Answers. 9 helpful answers below.

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Answerbag.com Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!

Answerbag.com
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!