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Racist Image of Michelle Obama Taken Down

Blog site removes it, not Google, then issues apology

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 25, 2009 2:07 PM CST

(Newser) – It's finally gone. The image of Michelle Obama altered to look like a monkey is no longer showing up under a Google image search. The blog site that posted it, "Hot Girls," removed it and issued an apology in Chinese and English, reports the LA Times. The photo stirred controversy when Google declined to remove it from the results page over free-speech concerns.

The apology, in shaky English, reads: "I am very sorry for this article, and that this is the program automatically issued a document from the article. Do not the subject of race and politics make the discussion too radical and sincere hope that the world is very peaceful."

First lady Michelle Obama hosts an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, celebrating women in the military.
First lady Michelle Obama hosts an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, celebrating women in the military.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 23 comments
hubydane
Nov 28, 2009 5:43 AM CST
Why take it off? It's not the first racist picture to be on the internet, and it won't be the last. Besides, people making pictures like that tells the Obamas that they are doing a good enough job for people to resort to immaturity to try and mar their presidency.
thezenhaitian
Nov 27, 2009 9:20 AM CST
I agree with Google on the free speech issue. I've seen that altered image of Michelle floating around in Google images since the 2008 campaign. I believe there is more reason for outrage over this image of Michele, then the same alterations to Bush, since in Michele's instance, she is just a spouse. This treatment of Michele was something that Laura Bush rarely if ever had to endure.
Reader63782555
Nov 27, 2009 5:49 AM CST
ha
 

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