I’m not lovin it.

I’m watching tv. There is an older black man on the screen eating something when he suddenly experiences extreme chest and arm pain. His family, afraid this is a heart attack, calls for help. The show cuts to a commercial for McDonald’s new Angus burgers. I am totally stunned. I know that the corporate offices of McDonald’s probably buys sponsorship for syndicated reruns like this in bulk, but it is way too creepy. Here’s a dude having a heart attack, by the way, just stop on buy and you can have your own. That sort of thing. At least it wasn’t the R&B tinged mcnugget commercial. Ugh.

Just a few days later, I hear, then read about the web site McDonald’s focuses on celebrating African American culture. I take a quick look at the baobab tree motif and all of the ways McDonald’s has been a responsible corporate citizen. Support of scholarships, diversity in stores, Ronald McDonald House. Then there is this nagging thought in my head, What about the food? What about that breakfast tortilla you’re advertising on the site?If you get the sausage version, you are getting a ridiculous blend of fat, calories and cholesterol and even if you get the lower fat steak version with no tortilla, you’re looking at 143% of your daily recommended cholesterol.  In a community with a higher incidence of hypertension, stroke and heart disease, this is not a good thing. Not even when attempts are made to offset it with scholarships and entrepreneurial opportunities.