Michelle Obama Chimp Woman Image Returns

The chimp photos of Michelle Obama are back. Perform a Google image search, and a photo with the tagline, "Hail to the Chimp" and the altered photo of the First Lady appears.

The controversy first popped up a few months ago when a blog posted the altered image. Google posted a statement explaining the search results.

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...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.

The blog that hosted the image removed it and offered an apology, but no one should be surprised that these sort of images keep popping up.As I said in an earlier piece, Obama is smashing long-held stereotypes of Black women. These base images are what happens when people can't think of valid criticisms.

At first, conservatives tried to portray her as the angry black woman. Any black woman who has asserted herself in the workplace has probably heard that one. Instead, the First Lady-packing degrees from both Harvard and Princeton-has projected the image of a strong mother, an intelligent partner and a capable leader on several issues.

With her background as a health care executive, Michelle Obama stepped out front in the health care debate. At the same time, she's tackling healthy eating, military families and impressing the fashion world. I'm curious as to what career path Michelle Obama will take when her family leaves the White House.

With her background, poise and experience gained from being the First Lady, I'm sure the sky is the limit.