Apple Responds To Emoji Diversity Problem

What Does Apple Think About The Lack OfDiversity In Emojis? We Have Their Response.posted 03/25/2014 1:59:48 pm by joey parker (http://act.mtv.com/posts/author/parkerjo/) in bias (http://act.mtv.com/posts/category/bias/), celebs (http://act.mtv.com/posts/category/celebs/), tech (http://act.mtv.com/posts/category/tech/).

When you browse through the emojis on your phone, there are very few non-Caucasian ones to choose from.

I mean, they have a water buffalo (http://emojipedia.org/nature/water-buffalo/) but no representation of

people of color? That’s why, as an emoji addict, I’m glad that Miley Cyrus (http://www.mtv.com/artists/miley-

cyrus/) and “Baby Daddy” star (and lil bro to Tia and Tamera Mowry), Tahj Mowry (http://en.wikipedia.org

/wiki/Tahj_Mowry), have brought up the lack of diversity in the 400-plus emojis.

In 2012, Miley tweeted (https://twitter.com/MileyCyrus/statuses/281188353813127170):

(1k)f (443)t # (17)$

act has moved! come with us to mtv news » (

! (http://www.mtv.com/) (

best of 2013 (http://act.mtv.com

/posts/category/best-of-2013-2/)

bias (http://act.mtv.com/posts

/category/bias/)

books (http://act.mtv.com/posts

/category/books-2/)

bullying sucks (http://act.mtv.com

/posts/category/bullying-sucks/)

celebs (http://act.mtv.com/posts

/category/celebs/)

http://www.mtv.com/news/issues/)

http://act.mtv.com) ""

Apple Responds To Emoji Diversity Problem http://act.mtv.com/posts/apple-responds-to-lack-of-diversity-in...

1 of 7 5/9/15, 8:24 PM

RT if you think there needs to be an #emojiethnicityupdate5:05 PM - 18 Dec 2012

6,041 2,186

Miley Ray Cyrus @MileyCyrus

Follow

Earlier this month, Tahj co-signed with her (https://twitter.com/Tahj_Mowry/statuses/445047210749599744).

It makes me mad that there are no black emojis...10:01 PM - 15 Mar 2014

196 309

Tahj Mowry @Tahj_Mowry

Follow

After thinking about what Tahj wrote, I decided to go straight to the top of Apple to find out if they were

planning to issue a new, more diverse, set of emojis. So who better to reach out to than Apple CEO Tim

Cook (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Cook)? Within a day we got a response! After Tim read my email, he

forwarded it on to Katie Cotton, vice president of worldwide corporate communications for Apple.

Katie told me exclusively:

“Tim forwarded your email to me. We agree with you. Our emoji characters are based on the Unicode

standard, which is necessary for them to be displayed properly across many platforms. There needs to be

more diversity in the emoji character set, and we have been working closely with the Unicode Consortium in

an effort to update the standard.”

We’re stoked that they’re working to update the emojis (insert clapping hands, y’all!) but there’s no word yet

on a planned rollout date. As always, Apple is keeping us in suspense, but here’s hoping it’s sooner than,

say, the … iPhone 20.

And just because we here at MTV Act think creating a more diverse set of emojis is the right thing to do

doesn’t mean everyone understands why it’s such a big f—ing deal.

The comments section following a Fast Company story titled “Are Emoji Racist (http://www.fastcompany.com

/3016256/fast-feed/are-emojis-racist)?” is flooded with notes about people becoming “too sensitive” these

days. To that, I ask: How is asking for more inclusive emojis being too sensitive? Equality is important, even

in digital winky-face form, and sometimes when it comes to the biggest challenges we face, no step is too

small. Although it may “just” be an emoji, representation of all races and genders is an important part of

working towards a more equal society.

In a recent New York Times article discussing race equality in America, it was reported that


2 of 7 5/9/15, 8:24 PM

(http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/23/us/americans-see-racial-equality-as-a-work-in-progress-pew-poll-

finds.html) “1 in 3 blacks said they were treated unfairly within the last year because of perceptions of their

race.” Although we have made great strides toward racial equality, it’s apparent we still have a lot of work to

do. Adding more diversity to emojis helps the process of creating more racial representation. It could also

help people celebrate Black History Month with more flair (http://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/people-

are-really-mad-that-there-are-no-black-emoj)!

What are YOUR thoughts? Join the convo on Twitter by using the hashtag #EmojiEthnicityUpdate

(https://twitter.com/search?q=%23EmojiEthnicityUpdate&src=typd)!

Do Something About it!Ask Apple to add more diversity to the Emoji keyboard — so they'll do it sooner rather than later!

act 205 ()

Sign Change.org's PetitionAsk Apple AND Google to support equality and make diverse emojis!

act 143 ()

tags: apple (http://act.mtv.com/posts/tag/apple/) emoji (http://act.mtv.com/posts/tag/emoji/)

emojis (http://act.mtv.com/posts/tag/emojis/) miley cyrus (http://act.mtv.com/posts/tag/miley-cyrus/)

racial diversity (http://act.mtv.com/posts/tag/racial-diversity/)

tahj mowry (http://act.mtv.com/posts/tag/tahj-mowry/)

miley cyrus (http://act.mtv.com/utag/artist/miley-cyrus/2408193/)

tahj mowry (http://act.mtv.com/utag/personality/tahj-mowry/248477/)

take action

##

take action

##

talk about this

enter your comment here


3 of 7 5/9/15, 8:24 PM

All (17) Community Picks (1) Newest %

katrina(http://act.mtv.com/posts/apple-responds-

to-lack-of-diversity-in-emojis/?device=1#openuserprofile=56a39a03039aa3560001039aa356) • 15 days ago

Umm where are the redheads with freckles?? We matter too!!

0 & () 0 reply( ()

solo (http://act.mtv.com/posts/apple-responds-to-lack-of-diversity-in-emojis/?device=1#openuserprofile=6ef960030360f96e00010360f96e) • 5 months ago

Why aren't there any Arab emojis?

0 & () 0 reply( ()

taleesha (http://act.mtv.com/posts/apple-responds-to-lack-of-diversity-in-emojis/?device=1#openuserprofile=634f6a03036a4f630001036a4f63) • 5 months ago

Me and my friend Eloise are NOT HAPPY! We think this is just crazy town! They can have an emoji ofa prawn cutlet but they can't even have a spoon, dinosaur, cheese, vomiting, shark or an emoji of thebetter things in life!!!! WE ARE OUTRAGED #rage

1 & () 0 reply( ()

buzzingbots (http://act.mtv.com/posts/apple-responds-to-lack-of-diversity-in-emojis/?device=1#openuserprofile=8329100303102983000103102983) • 1 year ago

Apple could use BuzzingBOTS emoji... Purple, blue, pink, red, green, yellow, stripes or polka dots. Itdoesn't matter what color you are. We're all BOTS. Each BOT is beautiful and different. Each one isunique. When we get together, the world is more complete. Just like people, BuzzingBOTS are... more ()

2 & () 1 reply( ()

)

)

)


4 of 7 5/9/15, 8:24 PM

pojo (http://act.mtv.com/posts/apple-responds-to-lack-of-diversity-in-emojis/?device=1#openuserprofile=e60fb40101b40fe6000101b40fe6) ! • 1 year ago

I think it's racist to purely focus on black people as being discriminated against. Do you see asian,Inuit, South American, Jewish, Gypsy, Scandinavian, or Hawaiian emojis? It's showing still a view ofprejudice against others and themselves when people point out the color of little cartoonpeoples... more ()

75 & () 13 reply

COMMUNITY PICK+

( ()

spencerduncan (http://act.mtv.com/posts/apple-responds-to-lack-of-diversity-in-emojis/?device=1#openuserprofile=97260f03030f26970001030f2697) • 1 year ago

I agree. the options should include EVERY RACE or be non skin colored. but trust me, youbeing judged for being white will never amount to **** for some people of color. sorry youhad a hard life or whatever... but POC struggle in America is to sensitive a subject for you toplay that bs for me, dear.

6 & () 5( ()

aleksander (http://act.mtv.com/posts/apple-responds-to-lack-of-diversity-in-emojis/?device=1#openuserprofile=f5d1e40202e4d1f5000102e4d1f5) • 1 year ago

What about this guy 👉👳

5 & () 0 reply( ()


*** about him? aint got **** to do with me. prolly aint got **** to do with you either.

0 & () 4( ()

klaknarr (http://act.mtv.com/posts/apple-responds-to-lack-of-diversity-in-emojis/?device=1#openuserprofile=d3c00e03030ec0d30001030ec0d3) • 1 year ago

how about blue. make all emoji that represent a face blue. universal. so we really want to see 90pages of emoji options?

17 & () 0 reply( ()


brilliant idea honestly.

0 & () 0( ()

ladysheik1 (http://act.mtv.com/posts/apple-responds-to-lack-of-diversity-in-emojis/?device=1#openuserprofile=34f70e03030ef7340001030ef734) • 1 year ago

I don't have a problem with the emoji "system"...and I'm Black! Ppl of other races should not becredible to assume or speak for blacks as a whole thinking what we worry about as a racial issue!Leave it like it is because the developers behind emoji creations will make them look ghetto or blackfaced and we don't need the drama!

6 & () 2 reply( ()


5 of 7 5/9/15, 8:24 PM


I am not speaking for ALL blacks. I am speaking for myself. I would like some ethnic choicesin my emoji's. ME ME ME. if you don't, don't update or don't use. No one ever said ALL blackppl wanted it. however, I see your point as far as making them look ghetto. I honestly thinkthe current emojis ar... more ()

6 & () 2( ()

justaguyii (http://act.mtv.com/posts/apple-responds-to-lack-of-diversity-in-emojis/?device=1#openuserprofile=fbf80e03030ef8fb0001030ef8fb) ! • 1 year ago

Complainer: "What about me, what about me? I want you to do something for me too!"Apple: "Nobody is stopping you from doing something for yourself"Complainer: "No, no, no!!!! It's YOUR responsibility to do something for me!"Apple: (sigh)

4 & () 4 reply( ()


stfu you dumbass. what are you even talking about. how is this relevant. i could createemoji's til im blue in the face but unless they are approved and introduced into the emojicatalog by Apple themselves, I have no power in what my abilities allow. It is not Apple'sresponsibility to do something... more ()

6 & () 7( ()

lasse (http://act.mtv.com/posts/apple-responds-to-lack-of-diversity-in-emojis/?device=1#openuserprofile=8ce60e03030ee68c0001030ee68c) • 1 year ago

I suggest we all report General Electric for rasism. They don't produce black light bulbs.

8 & () 2 reply( ()


b****.. you're petty. that makes no sense. what you are doing is deflecting the issue at handbecause you don't genuinely care about the representation of other races because your raceis represented. (assuming you are white or white passing). you would feel COMPLETELYdifferent if ALL the emoji's w... more ()

4 & () 6( ()

brittany royce (http://act.mtv.com/posts/apple-responds-to-lack-of-diversity-in-emojis/?device=1#openuserprofile=93fbeb0101ebfb93000101ebfb93) • 1 year ago

it'd be cool to have more diversity in the emoji forum,just like its amazing they have their one love emoji's.they should have mix race couples too! that'd be neat.for now, as long as I can still "stale face" aka -_-then I'm okay with the slow progress, they'll get there!

3 & () 9 reply( ()


6 of 7 5/9/15, 8:24 PM

Help/FAQ (http://www.mtv.com/sitewide/legal/frequently_asked_questions.jhtml)Jobs (http://www.mtvnetworkscareers.com) Terms of Use Privacy (http://www.mtv.com/sitewide/legal/terms.jhtml)

Copyright (http://www.mtv.com/sitewide/legal/copyright_compliance.jhtml)Closed Captioning (http://mainevents.mtvn.com/accessibility/) Ad Choices $ (http://srp.viacom.com/sitefaq.html)

follow mtv

%

(http://www.facebook.com/mtv) &

(https://twitter.com/mtv) '

(http://mtv.tumblr.com)

(https://plus.google.com/+mtv)

(http://pinterest.com/mtv/) (

(https://foursquare.com/mtv)

)©2013 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. MTV and all related titles and logos are trademarksof Viacom International Inc.

! (http://www.mtv.com/) act about (/about)

, ()

f t follow us (15)


7 of 7 5/9/15, 8:24 PM

Apple Responds To Emoji Diversity Problem

Documents