Decision Not to Feature An Easter Doodle Sparks Outrage
As much as I hate to admit it, one of the things I look forward to on any holiday is seeing what type of innovative doodle Google has come up with. It is always an interesting experience to see how creative the different doodles are and how imaginative Google proves to be over time. Therefore, you can only imagine my surprise when I saw that Google’s homepage on Easter Sunday did not feature an Easter related doodle. Instead, the website chose to honor Cesar Chavez who would have been 86 years old.
Although I was surprised, I got over it and moved on. In fact, I thought I would be one of the few people who noticed. It wasn’t until the next morning that I realized that I was not alone in my observation. Not only did others notice, but much to my surprise, some were furious.
The controversial decision to forego an Easter doodle sparked outrage among many, ranging from conservative publications to those on social media, many of whom praised Bing for featuring an Easter egg picture.
Fox News host Dana Perino Perino tweeted, “I thought the Chavez-google thing was a hoax or an early April Fool’s Day prank. Are they just going to leave that up there all day?”
Other Google users were so angry they threatened to stop using the search engine, tweeting, “Unbelievable! Their true colors are showing! Yahoo here I come!” “Booo!! to Google for making their holiday doodle about Cesar Chavez’s 86th birthday instead of Easter,” “Google uses Cesar Chavez on Easter instead of using something Easter related? Okay, I’m switching to Bing.”
I understand that Google features a variety of doodles throughout the year honoring a wide range of occasions, including the birthdays of historical figures. However, on a day when so many people around the world are celebrating a holiday they hold near and dear, it seems a little insensitive that Google would choose not to honor such a special holiday.
The disappointing decision of Google not to feature an Easter related doodle may be a symbol of the diminishing role religion is playing in our society. It is possible that with time religion will only continue to take a back seat in the world.
Personally, I was not as upset as some about the doodle, nor have I declared war on Google as I pledge a new allegiance to Bing, but it is understandable why some would be upset. It is not only about the doodle, but it is about the principle.
IMAGE TAKEN from mashable.com
