Google adding "black owned" attribute to US Maps entries

[thetapeworm]

In a bid to encourage people to support black owned businesses and help with racism in the US Google have started to roll out an option for businesses to add an attribute to their Google Maps listing to highlight they are "black owned". Apparently it's in response to "a surge" in people actively seeking out businesses of this type via Google searches.

It follows a similar move to add an "LGBT+ friendly" tag and a "female driven" one so that people can actively search out specific businesses to support when searching for things.

https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/small...

Google said:

Over the past few months, we’ve seen a surge in online searches for Black-owned businesses. It’s been inspiring to witness so many people look for ways to invest in the Black community. Now, we’re announcing three new ways to help support Black business owners.

Starting today, merchants in the U.S. with a verified Business Profile on Google can add a Black-owned business attribute to their profile, making it easier for customers to find and support them. As part of our $300 million commitment to support under-represented entrepreneurs, we’re also integrating the attribute into the digital skills training programs we offer Black business owners through Grow with Google Digital Coaches. And through Google for Startups Accelerator for Black Founders, we’re starting our work with the first cohort of 12 startups.

With this attribute, our goal is to make Search and Maps more inclusive and help support Black-owned businesses when they need it most.

“Everyone who comes into this store is welcome,” says Janet Jones, founder and co-owner of the Detroit-based Source Booksellers. “For us, being Black-owned means serving the community we’re in.”

By adding the attribute, people using Google Search and Maps can see Source Booksellers is Black-owned, and easily extend their support by purchasing one of their products, leaving a great review and sharing their Business Profile with others looking for their next book.

Obviously as a white chap I probably don't fully appreciate this one but to me it seems like an odd move.

I'm all for supporting small businesses but would I actively seek one out because it's owned by a particular demographic? Would anyone?

Have you ever walked into a shop and left because it's not owned by a certain type of person or do you just go there because it has what you want or is a nice place to shop?

I get why people might seek out places specifically tagged as being friendly towards the LGBT+ community if they "stand out from the norm" and might not feel comfortable in a "boozer" full of lairy customers but I can't quite grasp the "black owned" one.

If anything given the way things are in parts of the US would it serve more as a mechanism for people to avoid a particular place and have the opposite effect to that intended?

I guess my "just don't be a dick and treat everyone the same" policy isn't widely adopted around the globe so maybe this is needed?

Is this a way to unify or is it just encourage segregation? How does identifying differences like this make things more inclusive?

What are your thoughts?

[Mr Pointy]

You can imagine the ststorm if someone asked for a "white owned" tag to be added.

[anonymous-user]

I personally don't care who serves me or who I speak to as long as it's done politely. We need to get rid of the whole "I'm entitled as I am/have" etc etc attitude for everyone. But that's an ideal world which never exists. And that's the whole case, we are all different so there will always be problems for anyone from differing backgrounds.

[Adenauer]

I can't help but feel this is a massive backward step back from racial equality, very odd.

[Frank7]

thetapeworm said:

Have you ever walked into a shop and left because it's not owned by a certain type of person?
What are your thoughts?

I haven’t done that, but I purposely avoid shops owned or staffed by a certain demographic, and that demographic is certainly not B.A.M.E.

[thetapeworm]

In the opening paragraph to the blog linked it says:

Blog said:

While working as an Entrepreneur-in-residence at Google from 2014 to 2016, I travelled across the country to help enhance the online presence of hundreds of Black-owned businesses. As a Black woman, entrepreneur and Googler, supporting Black-owned businesses and Black founders is my passion.

She's now the "Head of Google for Startups U.S." - I guess hispanic-owned, asian-owned, white-owned start-ups had better start grafting harder to compete when it comes to being found on Google.

[thetapeworm]

Frank7 said:

thetapeworm said:

Have you ever walked into a shop and left because it's not owned by a certain type of person?
What are your thoughts?

I haven’t done that, but I purposely avoid shops owned or staffed by a certain demographic, and that demographic is certainly not B.A.M.E.

You know full well someone is going to ask you for more information on this so crack on... ideally with an elaborate tale to go with it

[Sophisticated Sarah]

Adenauer said:

I can't help but feel this is a massive backward step back from racial equality, very odd.

Sadly some people thrive on creating division.

Personally I couldn’t give a st who owns the store. As long as it’s convenient, clean, reasonably priced, and the staff are pleasant, I’ll go to it.

[Frank7]

thetapeworm said:

Frank7 said:

thetapeworm said:

Have you ever walked into a shop and left because it's not owned by a certain type of person?
What are your thoughts?

I haven’t done that, but I purposely avoid shops owned or staffed by a certain demographic, and that demographic is certainly not B.A.M.E.

You know full well someone is going to ask you for more information on this so crack on... ideally with an elaborate tale to go with it

As my maternal grandma used to say, “I dares’n’t tell you!”

[bigpriest]

A handy tool for racists to avoid certain businesses.

[anonymous-user]

Sounds like the green book, wouldn't something like equality positive be a better term.

[MikeM6]

bigpriest said:

A handy tool for racists to avoid certain businesses.

Indeed, it did wonder who was searching for this and if it was more to avoid these business than support them?

This racial decision that is being created feels really uncomfortable. No business should be avoided or preferred because of the ethnicity of the staff or owners.

[R Mutt]

Sounds like the modern equivalent of the Green Book which told African Americans which businesses would accept their custom. Except this isn't aimed at black customers.

Seems a bit odd as someone who spent most their pocket money in Indian owned sweet shops. The irony is, I try to only use authentic restaurants, but to favour Italian owned over one run by Albanians would be racist.

Edited by R Mutt on Wednesday 12th August 11:54

[Leon R]

This seems like a really poor decision, I certainly wouldn't want to have any business I owned tagged based on my race.

[vikingaero]

Shirley saying you will only buy from black businesses is as rascist as saying as a white person, I will only buy from white businesses?

If we have businesses in the UK using this tag then I would avoid them - not because of race, but because they would likely be throbbers.

[anonymous-user]

vikingaero said:

Shirley saying you will only buy from black businesses is as rascist as saying as a white person, I will only buy from white businesses?
.

it doesn't say that though does it.

It is no different to rainbow friendly bars, shops etc. Is it a positive move though, seems a bit of a backstep really.

[R Mutt]

The Spruce Goose said:

vikingaero said:

Shirley saying you will only buy from black businesses is as rascist as saying as a white person, I will only buy from white businesses?
.

it doesn't say that though does it.

It is no different to rainbow friendly bars, shops etc. Is it a positive move though, seems a bit of a backstep really.

See also rainbow flags in the bookies. What does it even mean?

The cynicism aside, where are LGBT people not actually welcome (other than in certain places of worship)?

[anonymous-user]

R Mutt said:

See also rainbow flags in the bookies. What does it even mean?

The cynicism aside, where are LGBT people not actually welcome (other than in certain places of worship)?

i think it came about through violence etc inflicted of Gay people in bars, they indicated safe havens.

Lets be honest in the deep south of USA it is probably pretty handy, the rest well pretty bckward and could have an opposite impact. Like i said equality friendly etc would be much better.

[R Mutt]

The Spruce Goose said:

R Mutt said:

See also rainbow flags in the bookies. What does it even mean?

The cynicism aside, where are LGBT people not actually welcome (other than in certain places of worship)?

i think it came about through violence etc inflicted of Gay people in bars, they indicated safe havens.

Lets be honest in the deep south of USA it is probably pretty handy

Not sure there's ever been any issues in our local Coral.

[anonymous-user]

R Mutt said:

Not sure there's ever been any issues in our local Coral.

i think that is just big corporations jumping on the band wagon which sort of detracts from the original message/actions.