Oprah Winfrey Targeted In Racist Internet Scam
Posted on Jun 25, 2010 @ 12:27PM
Oprah Winfrey was the subject of a viral spam attack, as Internet spammers triggered an unfavorable statement about the TV icon all the way to the top of Google’s search engine early Friday.
Its complicated, but RadarOnline.com’s here to explain to you how it all went down: the phrase "oprah riggs contest in favor of african american" was listed as the most widely-searched topic on Google, trumping other oft-searched current events such as the NBA draft, and Michael Jackson-related searches on the first anniversary of his death.
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The statement itself is in reference to a contest sponsored by Winfrey's OWN network, offering one fan the chance to win their own show.
The controversy is seemingly tied to the two leading candidates: Zach Anner, a white wheelchair-bound comedian who has 8,245,248 votes, and Doctor Phyllis, an African American contestant who has 6,511,895 votes. Earlier this week, Dr. Phyllis racked up more than 300,000 votes in 20 minutes, causing some to question the legitimacy of the contest.
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According to blogger Zennie Abraham of SF Gate, which is located close to the tech heartland of the Silicon Valley, the search has not been orchestrated by millions of curious Web browsers, but by a few spammer-hacker types who posted an endless stream of spam blogs with the aforementioned phrase in it, causing it to show up on the Google search list.
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By the way, the contest is still ongoing; to enter, check out http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html.
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what is wrong with people.. so dumb
Posted Sun, 09/19/2010 - 3:29pm
Hello!
I looked through your profile and decided to write you a message to inform you that i am intersted in knowing more about you. contact me with this email (jenifer.domnic at ya hoo dot com)sothat we can dis more
Posted Tue, 07/06/2010 - 2:29pm
there are always more white guests and more whites in the audience, once in life she chooses to give a black woman a show (besides her best friend Gail, which who doesn't hook their besties up) and white folks pull the race card...wtf?
Posted Sat, 06/26/2010 - 7:06pm
last time I checked none of these are people of color...she obviously loves her people but her show objective has never focused on black women...just women in general
Posted Sat, 06/26/2010 - 7:05pm
I will list how many non-blacks have shows because of Oprah: Dr. Phil, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Dr. Laura Berman, Suzie Ormand got her start there, Nate Berkus, Dr. OZ, Bob Greene...shall I go on......
Posted Sat, 06/26/2010 - 7:05pm
First of all, she hasn't chosen a winner and the disabled man still is in the lead....second, name how many people of color Oprah has created shows for ...I'll wait while you compile that list...and while you do,
Posted Sat, 06/26/2010 - 7:03pm
The best solution to this silly problem is to hire them both. I think we all could benefit from both ideas. Heck Lady Oprah has enough money to produce 20 shows.
Posted Sat, 06/26/2010 - 6:26pm
White people have been doing it for years and continue to do so and it's suppose to be acceptable.
Posted Sat, 06/26/2010 - 6:24pm
But if someone Black is in an authoritative position and chooses the most qualified person for a position because they are Black, then you people make racists and hateful remarks.
Posted Sat, 06/26/2010 - 6:24pm
I find it facetious that people would create an insane story about a contest. Donald Trump never hired a Black person as his apprentice and no one says anything.
Posted Sat, 06/26/2010 - 6:23pm