CLEVELAND - The creator of an iPhone app used to manipulate and add effects to photos is under fire for using a racial slur in the name of a special effect.
The app, called “Picture Effect Magic,” is available in a free and paid version in the Apple App Store. The latest version is 1.8 and has a post date of June 10, 2011.
In the list of possible photo effects is one called, “54 N****r-brown.” In selecting this effect, it makes the image a brownish tint. In the list, it is near other similar effects that make the image purple, blue or warm.
Apple, which approves all apps before they are put on the market, has not commented yet. The author seemed apologetic in a note that stated: “Feel so sorry to have expression mistake,New version will coming soon(sic)." There is a chance the author did not realize the phrase was inappropriate because of cultural and geographic differences. What is surprising is that Apple allowed this to pass and that the reaction wasn't even more severe than it was. While Americans generally understand the connotations of this word, it isn't as easy to explain to those not surrounded by our media and steeped in our country's history. Think it's easy? Imagine explaining it to a child. I recently had to break down some information for my niece, who would never hurt anyone's feelings on purpose but was confused by the use of the word in some rap music and movie lines, and the zero tolerance for that word in our family.
Interesting that it hit the market, now I'm curious to see how it is handled. Any guesses?
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