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Google posted an apology for image search results in which the top image depicted first lady Michelle Obama as an ape. The image, however, was just one of dozens of images of celebrities and political figures altered to look like apes.
The image, which has been circulating on the Internet for over a year, drew little attention until it began appearing as the top result in Google image searches for Michelle Obama after being posted to a spam blog. That site has since taken down the picture, and the image no longer appears in the top image search results.
Google says that its search results are automatically generated via computer algorithms. “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,” the statement said.
Ironically, the interest in this image has caused Google’s automated system to suggest a related search of “michelle obama monkey” when people search for images of Michelle Obama.
Many people have called the image racist and offensive. But Jasmine Waters, whose entertainment blog FlyStyleLife was among the first to republish the image, disagreed, attributing the image to a site called Celebrity Apes.
“If you choose to visit the source site, you will see that this picture WAS NOT created out of racially motivated ignorance,” Waters wrote after posting the image of Mrs. Obama. “Had that have been the case, as a journalist, an American and most importantly, a Black woman, I would have NEVER posted it.”
Before being taken down Wednesday, Celebrity Apes contained altered images of John McCain, Sarah Palin, Nancy Pelosi, Michael Jackson, Jessica Alba, Sarah Silverman, Barack Obama himself, and dozens of other celebrities and political figures. Nobody was spared, not even Ron Paul.
Celebrity Apes is owned by Michael Hussey, 31, of Alfred, Maine. Hussey runs Sharper Communications, a public relations firm which says on its web site that its “goal is to develop & implement creative and strategic breakthrough PR programs that get our clients noticed via news publicity.” In the 1990s Hussey created the Rate My Face web site, a precursor to the better-known Hot or Not. His personal blog shows an image of Sarah Palin as a parrot.
Likening a “person of color” to an ape or monkey has been considered a racial insult since the times of African slavery. Since the Darwinian theory of evolution became widely accepted, the insult has been used to refer to anyone, regardless of race, to suggest that the person had not sufficiently evolved. In the case of Celebrity Apes and the photo in question, it appears to be simply a series of ill-considered jokes.
Nevertheless, reading the news as I do, sometimes I have to wonder whether the people who are running the country, whatever race, color or political party they are, have actually evolved past the monkey stage.
(3 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)
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Ed
Nov 25, 2009
“I have to wonder whether the people who are running the country, whatever race, color or political party they are, have actually evolved past the monkey stage.”
No, they haven’t. They’re still flinging their crap.
Highlander
Nov 26, 2009
Ed,
.
You’re correct: They ~still~ fling their crap.
.
Otherwise? I thought most of the pictures were a somewhat accurate representation of the idiots depicted, especially of Pelosi and the current resident idiots in the White House.
Jacob M
Nov 26, 2009
Let’s see now…7 degrees of separation. Michelle Obama was, without malice, caricatured as an ape. When humans destroyed themselves, apes ruled the planet. Charlton Heston hated the “damn dirty apes!”. Charlton Heston was a leader in the National Rifle Association. Daniel Patrick Moynihan opposed the NRA, wanted pistol ammunition to be unobtainable to civilians. Moynihan was rplaced by Hillary Clinton, who sees Michelle Obama almost daily. Hillary Clinton wrote a book entitled “It Takes A Village”, and with strong political aspirations may indeed want to rule the world, if only political proxies and cronies.
See how satisfyingly all of one piece it becomes? Really is the best of all possible worlds, ya know…
‘
Highlander
Nov 26, 2009
Jacob M,
.
Careful now!
.
You don’t want to be showing up as a ‘damned dirty ape,’ do you?
.
:-)
.
Michael Hampton
Nov 26, 2009
According to that Celebrity Ape site which is no longer around, Charlton Heston was an ape, too.
Highlander
Nov 26, 2009
Well, Mike,
.
I dunno.
.
You see? It’s not logical for an ‘ape’ to refer to another ape as a ‘dirty ape.’
.
A ‘dirty bastard’ maybe, or even a ‘dirty bitch.’
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But a ‘dirty ape?’
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You see: The whole concept follows on BOTH the ideas of denigration and derogation.
.
Patty McManus
Dec 02, 2009
she is an ape and obama is a terrorist!
Patty McManus
Dec 02, 2009
Obama has made race relations worse. He has failed in his promise to close Gitmo. Lied that unemployment would not go above 8%. Refuses to call the people who attacked America on 9/11 terrorists. Now – he has given our enemies a date when we will withdraw. How do you win a war when you advertise your intentions! He should go and live in Africa or a Muslim nation where he would be better suited. He is a disgrace to the United States and will probably be impeached or killed before his first and last 4 yrs are up!
willie W
Dec 02, 2009
Obama is a coward and his wife looks does look like an ape. This is not racist, justa fact. Put a picture of a baboon or ape next to hers and it is pretty close!
Will def. go down as the most inexperienced and incompetent president in US history. I feel bad for all the unemployed that have no chance of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. This president would rather lobby for the Olympics, get on talk shows and appease the far left and Hollywood. Disgrace, joke and moron!!!!!!!!!!!
Frank Mallone
Dec 02, 2009
I am ashamed I voted for him. Some change. Change that is going to compromise our national security, put my kids economic future in peril and destroy the values that have made our country great! Pelosi, Reid, tax cheat Geitner, idiot Holder and his other cronies are not much better!
Meghan Schwartz
Dec 02, 2009
As a mother of a 9/11 victim, I consider Holder and Obama inhuman to put our families through hell again. How dare he do this! I only pray that he and his family go through hell like us. Bastard!
Barack Obama
Dec 02, 2009
Its just very dissapointing to hear this rhetoric as Americans we must come together or else we are no better than our enemies.
Anonymous
Dec 02, 2009
you’re all idiots for your posts, ignorant, racist, closeminded idiots.
Anonymous
Dec 02, 2009
and your an idiot
ThePres Stinks
Dec 02, 2009
Change can also mean bad to worse and thats what he did. Lets face it he talked a good game and when it came down to it I would rather have Bush back.
P.S. She does look like a ape look at how big her far head is
Anonymous
Dec 02, 2009
Willy W is funny for saying that because he resembles a pig – this is not racist just a fact. Put a pigs flesh next to his and its pretty close!
James McCoy
Dec 02, 2009
And you Patty my dear are a BITCH!
MADD
Dec 02, 2009
Patty is a good true american. People who don’t like her are the enemy. They should be sent to the liberal gas chamber. Where is Hitler when you need him?
Kelly
Dec 02, 2009
Patty is right on target…the stupid idiots that believed his B.S. and put him in office..shame on all of you. And good for you MADD!!!
A_Proud_American
Dec 02, 2009
Patty and Madd are probaly some racist rednecks who are mad a Black man was elected. If George “Dumb Ass” W Bush would have focused on Bin laden instead of starting a war with Iraq we would be safer. Instead you ignorant republicans focused on Iraq and now you decide to worry about Afghanistan? You are all a bunch of jokes… Move to an island with the rest of the racist rednecks because blacks built this country and natives are rightful owners. Whites need to recognize if anyone should leave it is them. I am glad not all whites are ignorant like you racist rednecks.
A_Proud_American
Dec 02, 2009
Willie W…. Grow a brain… George W was the most inexperienced and incompetent president in US history. Look at his track record… He stole an election then is able to unite the country after 9/11… What does he do? He decides to divide the coutry by invading Iraq… He is the one who wnted the Tarp for major banks… He was in office when the economy started to tank… Bill Clinto left with surupluses. GW left with deficits… Now Obama like your hero Ronald Reagan has to fix the mess… Get a clue you racist rednecks…
A_Proud_American
Dec 02, 2009
Meghan Schwartz… Your Insurance and Oil company loving Republicans aren’t struggling… Blame this crap on GW and the Repubs who fucked our country the last 8 years… Don’t blame this mess on Obama and the Democrats because your redneck supporters want to increase the wealth of the rich and fuck of the less fortunate… The top 5 wealthiest families are only that way because they are living off the exploits of the years America was able to rob minorities for their land and free labor… Grow a brain you racist redneck…
James McCoy
Dec 02, 2009
Willie W is a dumb ass who resembles a pig. This is not racist, justa fact. Put his skin next to a pigs and it is pretty close!
Mathew Henry
Dec 02, 2009
I have a solution for all the white folks who hate the fact that a black man will run this country for the next 7+ years – move to Canada/Europe where you are still in charge and have a large enough majority to keep a white man in power. America has changed and with the current demographic trends there will only be MORE people of color in places of power. There is nothing you can do to change that – so please – move to Canada or Europe (where you originally came from) – chance are much better there that a white man will be in power for the remaining days you have on this earth.
Conrad
Dec 02, 2009
I am a black man & Obama has embarrassed us. Although a smooth speaker, he is as dumb as a two-bit n####r. Impeach Obama and his dumb, ape wife!
Luis
Dec 02, 2009
Get Obama out of office. He is a corrupt, stupid jerk that has no right even running a soup kitchen. Kick his ass out of office and send him back to Africa – go Patty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by the way, Michelle looks more like a rabid baboon.
steven barrett
Dec 02, 2009
Everyone should stop stressing- Barack Hussein Obama will not win a 2nd term – he is horrible. Unfortunately, we just have to wait. On second thought, export his stupid, racist ass out of our country. Get the ape wife and ape kids out, too.
FrankO
Dec 02, 2009
What an insult to the Apes IMO.
Bryan Thompson
Dec 02, 2009
I’d like the some of the ignorant apes that have commented negatively on Obama (and I’m sure your white apes to) to explain to me how, after 8 years of Republican “Give my rich friends whatever they want” attituded, its his fault after what, 330 days in office? Thats the dumbest thing I have ever heard. The problems we are living in right now are GEORGE BUSH’S FAULT, him and his oilmen cronies. And all you dorks that voted for him twice, its your fault to. Man up. Take responsibilty.
Anonymous
Dec 02, 2009
But these images are ok?
Elizabeth
Dec 02, 2009
I just think it’s offensive this exists. Back when I was writing about election day (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1181477/live_continuing_coverage_postelection.html?cat=9), with pride and hope, I knew stupid stuff like this would come out.
ooooga boooooga
Dec 03, 2009
BLACKS LOOK LIKE APES.. FACT… GET OVER IT..
black beauty
Dec 04, 2009
YOu mutherfuckers are so pathetic u racist bastards But you are very dumb in ten years or less your race will be considered minorities so keep showing your true racist colors because u will reap what your race sowed !! And i dont know if you get out much but everywhere i look i see interacial couples black whites and black and spanish people you bitches who are racist like u will get yours yea as a whole race are numbers probably are small now but i can guarantee u that we will be bigger than your group sooner than u think and bitch icant wait
Highlander
Dec 04, 2009
Well there, ‘black beauty,’ if what you say is so true, then WHY–OH–WHY is Tiger Woods so unfaithful in his marriage?
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Should we guess that his ‘white meat–dark meat’ combo wasn’t up to snuff?
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But hey: You go with works for you, okay?
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Far be it from me to even ~suggest~ to someone what their preferences should be in this life, as THEIR lives aren’t for ME to live, eh?
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Otherwise? Pictures are like words: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but name will NEVER hurt me!
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Learn to DEVELOP a THICKER skin, and life WILL become so bloody easy that you’ll laugh at every untoward remark.
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Until then?
GO
Dec 08, 2009
Alrighty then bunch of hypocrits go google bush and an ape. Whats good for the ex pres is good for the apes in the white house.
adolf
Dec 09, 2009
The resemblence is uncanny
gaetano
Jan 17, 2010
get your facts straight you dumb ass libs.Geroge bush did not have control for 8 years. your F%%%ing democrats took over in 2006,and did nothing but tear our america down. So quit saying bush controled the country for 8 yeras. Obama is an ape, and so is his wife.However I won`t say anything about children, if they are his children.Hell, for all we know they might be Larry Sinclairs.
GB
Jan 18, 2010
What an artificial and ugly looking first lady. A total embarassment for America. Everyone knows it and laughs, only media cant say it because they have to be P.C.
googleuser
Jan 18, 2010
it happened to Bush now it’s happening to the Obamas. Lets see what they do, hopefully not ask google to go in censorship mode like a haitian dictatorship. glad the image is there to show Michelle’s salient ressemblance to monkeys to those who have not noticed. The woman is impopular anyway so who cares. 3 more years of shame.
nluvr2@hotmail
Jan 27, 2010
as a whiteman, i see michelle’s resemblence to an ape…very exciting! the best sex i ever had, was with a black girlfriend that looked like a monkey. it was like committing beastiality! very hot!
Black Ant
Feb 02, 2010
Yeah I’ve seen these pictures. Pictures of all different shades and hues depicted as monkeys. No racism here- said the Black Guy Inspector. However, the website is corny, the technology interesting, & Black folks’ reactions: Priceless.
I’m even thinking of starting my own hoax to piss people off. I’m not saying that racists hill billies don’t still exist, it’s just that people should do their research before they forward some reactionary @$$#0!#’s ignorant, indignant comments. My people are constantly falling for the internet BS… free money for emailing, unproven accusations of racism, hoaxes and shams. Its a little embarassing: Thank GOD white people have shown them selves to be history’s biggest devils with their genocides, wars, subversion, perversion (pro-homo laws), and recreational cannabalism. Bow down to your evolutionary progeniturs!
Anonymous
Mar 08, 2010
you all act worse than 3yr.old children it is so easy for white people to run the white house thats why you all can feel what mr. bush left for mr.oboma to fix up thats right you really hate your own white selves the truth is this mess was created by your own just put the blame on someone other than the white man .move to an all white world we will never be broke or let hate though you rule the world again.
Angela
Mar 14, 2010
Michelle obama does look like an ape!
I am sick and tired of political correctness.Taking into account, Obum has done nothing but harm America since he took up office, calling Michelle a few names, can’t be nearly half as bad, as the misery her apeman husband is inflicting upon good, honest American folks.
Long live freedom of speech. I think black people do look like monkeys, and it scares the hell out of me. I will say so if I like. I have my rights too.
Dr. Zira
Mar 15, 2010
Fact is, she has an uncanny facial resemblance to Dr. Zira from the original Planet of the Apes movie. Period. No, Period.
Burr like hair, pronounced muzzle, long arms, it’s all more ape like than human like. Say what you want, truth is truth and sometimes it hurts.
Since science hides the facts about the major differences in white vs. black anatomy, lets just say that from a skeleton, a coroner can immediately tell if the victim was black or white….Nuff said.
In an old book called “species of man” the anatomical facts were published, but you won’t find them taught in school nowadays, because the TRUTH HURTS…