Michelle Obama Picture in Google Image Results Creates Controversy (This has gone too far - Disgusting and Appalling)
Search for Michelle Obama’s name via Google’s image search and you’ll likely find an image that has been characterized as a racist caricature of the first lady of the US in the top results.The image is offensive to many and while some are demanding it be removed, Google (
) is holding firm and yet still apologizing. The Washington Post has uncovered a formal apology from Google in the form of an ad displayed above the offensive image that directs visitors to a page explaining how Google’s search results algorithm works.
In short, while Google apologizes for upsetting searchers, it’s standing by the algorithm. The full text of the statement reads:
“Sometimes Google search results from the Internet can include disturbing content, even from innocuous queries. We assure you that the views expressed by such sites are not in any way endorsed by Google.
Search engines are a reflection of the content and information that is available on the Internet. A site’s ranking in Google’s search results relies heavily on computer algorithms using thousands of factors to calculate a page’s relevance to a given query.
The beliefs and preferences of those who work at Google, as well as the opinions of the general public, do not determine or impact our search results. Individual citizens and public interest groups do periodically urge us to remove particular links or otherwise adjust search results. Although Google reserves the right to address such requests individually, Google views the integrity of our search results as an extremely important priority. Accordingly, we do not remove a page from our search results simply because its content is unpopular or because we receive complaints concerning it. We will, however, remove pages from our results if we believe the page (or its site) violates our Webmaster Guidelines, if we believe we are required to do so by law, or at the request of the webmaster who is responsible for the page.
We apologize if you’ve had an upsetting experience using Google. We hope you understand our position regarding offensive results.
Sincerely,
The Google Team
Read the whole story at Mashable
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Let’s see…an altered/ugly picture of Michelle Obama is considered “racist and disgusting” while an altered picture of, say, John McCain, Dick Cheney, Sarah Palin, Ann Coulter - just to name a few - should be overlooked? What about the picture is racist? Honestly, I don’t see it. I swear, sometimes you sound like some of those crybabies in the White House or in the MSM.