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Throughline July 12, 2021 28m

Bonus: Do The Golden Arches Bend Toward Justice?

NPR

Summary

This episode explores "Black capitalism" through the lens of McDonald's advertising and its impact on Black communities. Key references include the character "Calvin" from old McDonald's commercials and the historical connection between corporations and calls for racial justice. The takeaway is that McDonald's marketing strategies and the rise of Black franchisees offered a form of economic empowerment and uplift, but also sidestepped broader demands for systemic racial equity.

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