Former Oakland Athletics player, Herb Washington, who built the country’s largest Black-owned McDonald’s franchise, filed a lawsuit this week charging the fast-food behemoth with racism. The company is accused of “redlining and retaliation,” or systemically pushing Black franchisees to open in impoverished neighborhoods, causing them to yield less profit. McDonald’s also allegedly targeted Black owners by providing them with unequal assessments, making it more difficult for them to renew their contracts and then pressuring them to sell to white owners.
Civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson is joining the cause and issued a statement on Thursday, Feb. 18 expressing his concern for the issue. He pointed out that Black owners and operators have historically been central allies and the face of the company.
“Although McDonald’s has made tremendous strides over the years, there seems to be an adverse wind blowing in the face of its Black operators,” Jackson said. “I recently learned of litigation being filed by Herb Washington, whom I met in the 80s while running for president. Herb Washington is a man of integrity, having served on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank for many years. His lawsuit against McDonald’s has my attention and I am concerned about its resolution.”
