99% Invisible A Side of Franchise
Jul 14, 2020
In this thought-provoking discussion, Marcia Chatelain, author of "Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America," offers a unique critique of racial capitalism through the lens of McDonald’s impact on Black communities. Phoebe Unter, creator of the "Race Traitor" miniseries, delves into reparations and the personal stories highlighting systemic inequalities. They explore the evolution of fast food marketing, its complex portrayal of Black identity, and the deeper implications of corporate accountability in fostering true equality.
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McDonald's Significance
- McDonald's is often seen as mundane today, but it held special significance for African Americans during the 1970s.
- It represented access and inclusion in a society marked by segregation.
Ice Cream Memory
- One woman shared her memory of having ice cream at McDonald's for the first time.
- Growing up in the Jim Crow South, her grandmother never let her visit whites-only ice cream parlors.
Post-Assassination Franchise Shift
- After King's assassination, some white McDonald's owners in Black neighborhoods left due to fear of unrest.
- McDonald's filled these vacancies with Black franchisees, marking a shift influenced by Black capitalism.
