New Google Logo

[Thanasus]

Here in the United States, we have a holiday for a gent named Martin Luther King who helped eliminate segregation. Google, has recognized this holiday with an interesting logo:

[google.com...]

Now, I am just curious as to why they have gingerbread men. Are they trying to say we are made of cookies? Why not simply put an image of our hero emblazoned next to their corporate logo. Being black, I try to raise my children to aspire to be like Dr. King and I did not know how to answer youn Tyrone when he asked me why Google had gingerbread as symbolic of Dr. King.

Perhaps someone could help me understand.

[pageoneresults]

Now, I am just curious as to why they have gingerbread men.

Hmmm, I didn't see the gingerbread men. What I'm seeing is what looks like one of those paper cutting projects you did when you were in elementary school. In this case, it looks like they are showing unity amongst color.

I do see your point though, but, sometimes we can read things that may not be there.

[nutsandbolts]

Thanasus, you're kidding right? Google's Logos, God bless their little cotton socks, are as politically correct as they come.

[annej]

looks like they are showing unity amongst color

That's how I saw it as well. It is in line with the other holiday logos Google has been doing with the type of graphics. They havn't been using photos.

[Marcia]

Thanasus, what I thought right away is that they're making use of "metaphor" as it's used in web design. See them holding hands?

We Shall Overcome [cr.nps.gov]

From the lyrics [ksu.edu], verse 2:

We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand some day

[rfgdxm1]

To me this doesn't look like gingerbread men either. Just stylized images of people of different colors hand in hand. What I did find curious is that they restrict this *only* to the US market. While obviously Martin Luther King, Jr. is most significant here in the US (his birthday is a national holiday), MLK's message was very much universal. Just like Gandhi isn't irrelevant outside of India. Considering that racial hatred is probably a greater problem in the world as a whole today then in the US, King's message seems pertinent to the whole planet.

[taxpod]

I have to agree with the concensus. What I see is symbols of people light brown, mixed race - tanish yellowish brown, mixed race - brown and white?, lilly white, dark brown.

The cookies, gingerbread or otherwise applies to all of us regardless of race or color.

[korkus2000]

I liked it. Looked like paper cut outs to me of all races. I thought it was effective for me atleast. Happy MLK day everyone.

[rfgdxm1]

Also taxpod, put your mouse over the logo and click:

[google.com...]

This SERP leads to King's "I Have a Dream" speech:

"I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers."

That logo seems based on that line.

[buckworks]

Forgive me for a bit of topic drift, but we've talked a bit about "parallel structure" in other threads, when discussing writing techniques. The "I Have a Dream Speech" is worth close examination in that regard, as it shows some of the most effective use of parallel structures that you'll see anywhere.

Back on topic: I see the logo as people of different colour holding hands, and for me it generates warm fuzzy happy thoughts.

[excell]

Yup.. those are "paper dolls" not gingerbread men.

[SlyGuy]

An interesting, brief biography on Martin Luther King [stanford.edu]

Happy MLK day.

- Chad

[EliteWeb]

(: You can make anything you want out of it, but it does show unity to me - they look like the paper people little kids cut out in school just like the hearts. Today is a Holiday in the states, at first i expected to see Martin Luther King JR with the google logo then i remembered normally when logos are aknowledged it is not the person aknowledged but the aspect or feeling behind it. something to define the event. Just like Christmas I dont remember santa, I remember bears :)

[rfgdxm1]

Look closely at the logo, it has to be paper cutouts rather than gingerbread men. You can see the fold in the middle of each figure, which makes sense if they are paper.

[GaryK]

I think the confusion is because the image has some sort of embossing on it to make it look thicker than paper and thus more like a cookie.

[hakre]

i think, they look like paper, too. but nevertheless, what does it mean? that segregation has ended up in paper? and we're only facing racism in the real world at the end? hmm...

maybe google loves holidays and they plan to make a party and that's their top-actual decoration idea these days.

[deft_spyder]

I believe the limiting to the US is because it is a US holiday. Maybe there is some history to support this pattern.

Everyone know these can't be gingerbread men. They run much to fast to be photographed.

[stuntdubl]

Wow....
here at webmaster world ANYTHING can be debated.

It is nice to see a tribute though.

:)

[rfgdxm1]

My guess is that this was limited to the US precisely because it is a US holiday, and also possibly on a worldwide basis MLK may not be that familiar. While MLK is hardly an obscure figure, is he really that commonly known in Japan?

[decaff]

I think that the "Martin Luther King" holiday logo tells a very specific story on several levels.... With so many different people using the Google service the folks there have always tried to use holidays, be they heavily commercial or purely social, as a way to convey messages of hope and humanity, and the delicate weave that we all do to move forward. Certainly, with current world events unfolding as we thread along, Martin Luther King's messages are as poignant as ever.

If I were a dad (which I'm not) trying to explain to my kid why Google choose to use this particular image (and in my opinion, it is definitely paper cutouts meant to symbolize people from different races, thus the subtle use of colors)...I would simply say that these figures are meant to show the connection we all have through the web and, in particular, the mutual services we all use to find things we want or want to know about. On Martin Luther King's birthday, it is appropriate to use metaphors that speak of connection and communication...so using paper cutouts to represent different folks is simply Google's playful way to initiate conversations...is it working?

[Robino]

What a crazy thread!
Click on the logo and check out some of the MLK sites. The full text version of "I have a Dream" is GREAT!
What a wonderful man!

[tbear]

Be nice to see the dream become a reality......

[Shane]

Be nice to see the dream become a reality......

Yes tBear, if we each work towards that goal with everyone we meet, and raise all our children with respect for one another, ....... maybe one day :)

..... Shane

[Crazy_Fool]

we just looked and at first glance my partner and i thought they were gingerbread men too. we wouldn't have paid any more attention to it or thought any more about it if we hasn't been reading these threads. and now i'm hungry.

[24bit]

I'm upset that they didn't include a little green man. When the aliens invade the earth we need to get along with them too, don't we? :)

[tbear]

24bit - If they 'invade' I doubt if we'll get the choice. I doubt they will 'visit' until we learn a lot more about getting on together.
I'd like to say that this forum is an excellent example of how we can get along in harmony, learn from each other and learn about each other regardless of race creed or religion.
>and raise all our children with respect for one another,
Spread the word to the kids has got to be a global message. Mine seem to be on the right track (wish they wouldn't pick me up on so many things though)

[GoogleGuy]

rfgdxm1, I think you've got it exactly down to the quote. Glad that people are digging down deeply and thinking about it.. :)

Happy MLK Day to everyone!

[johnhamman]

Be nice to see the dream become a reality......

Not till Jesus returns will we see this become a true reality. But till then i will hold hands.