# Google Omits Black History Month and Pride Month from Calendar: Implications
## Introduction
In a development that has ignited considerable discussion, Google has discreetly eliminated numerous cultural observances, including **Black History Month, Pride Month, Indigenous Peoples’ Month, Jewish Heritage Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and Hispanic Heritage Month**, from its official Google Calendar holiday compilation. This alteration, which took effect in late 2023 but only gained widespread attention in early 2024, has incited backlash from users who view it as a regression in acknowledging and respecting marginalized groups.
## What Occurred?
Previously, Google Calendar featured a variety of cultural and heritage observances in addition to public holidays. However, the company has now opted to **display solely official public holidays and observances from timeanddate.com**. Consequently, events such as Black History Month and Pride Month are no longer automatically showcased in users’ calendars.
Google rationalized this change by stating that it was not feasible to manually update a global list of cultural observances. Madison Cushman Veld, a Google spokesperson, noted that the company had received concerns regarding absent events and determined that managing hundreds of such occasions manually was not practical.
## Why This Action is Contentious
### 1. **Reduction of Visibility for Marginalized Groups**
For many, the absence of these observances from Google Calendar is more than just a logistical choice—it represents a symbolic removal of significant cultural and historical milestones. These events remind us of the challenges and successes of marginalized groups, and their omission from a prominent platform like Google Calendar may lead to diminished awareness.
### 2. **Doubts About Google’s Dedication to Diversity**
Google has historically marketed itself as an enterprise that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Nonetheless, this action occurs during a period when **numerous companies, including Google, are retracting DEI efforts** amid political pressure in the United States. Some users have surmised that this choice reflects broader corporate tendencies away from diversity initiatives, particularly following the recent executive order from President Donald Trump that rescinded DEI-related regulations.
### 3. **Transparency Issues**
A major source of frustration among users is that Google implemented this change **without any prior notice**. Many users only discovered the missing observances when checking their calendars in the new year. This lack of communication has raised suspicions that Google sought to dodge criticism during the transition.
### 4. **User Backlash and Digital Activism**
The decision has provoked considerable dissent from users on Google’s support forums and across social media platforms. Some users have accused Google of attempting to “erase” the achievements of marginalized groups, while others have called for a boycott of Google Calendar.
One user commented on a Google support thread:
> *”By eliminating Black History Month, Pride, and Women’s History Month, Google is seeking to delegitimize these recognized months. It feels cowardly and regressive. What is Google afraid of?”*
## Google’s Reaction
In response to the backlash, Google issued a **public statement on February 12, 2024**, clarifying its reasoning. The company highlighted that:
– It remains committed to celebrating cultural occasions across its platforms.
– Users can manually add these observances to their personal calendars.
– Google Doodles and various other initiatives will keep highlighting important cultural events.
However, many users perceive this response as **missing the crux** of the issue. The concern lies not merely in personalization—it’s about **shared recognition** and ensuring that these observances are visible to a wider audience.
## A Possible Solution
For individuals who wish to see these events in their Google Calendar, several alternatives exist:
1. **Create Custom Events** – Users can set up their own recurring events for Black History Month, Pride Month, and similar observances.
2. **Subscribe to External Calendars** – Some organizations offer public calendar subscriptions that include cultural observances.
3. **Explore Alternative Calendar Apps** – Some users are contemplating switching to different calendar services that still feature these events by default.
## Conclusion
Google’s choice to eliminate Black History Month, Pride Month, and other cultural observances from its calendar has prompted a significant dialogue regarding representation and corporate accountability. Although the company contends that the decision was aimed at efficiency, many users view it as a **symbolic regression** in acknowledging the contributions of marginalized groups.
As discussions persist, one fact stands out: **representation is crucial**, and organizations like Google ought to thoughtfully evaluate how their decisions impact the communities they serve.
