It’s International Women’s Day and in honor of the occasion, McDonald’s has solved inequality the world over by flipping their iconic golden arches to make not an “M” but a “W.” Feminism = solved. Thank you, golden arches of freedom and equality!
Oh wait. No.
McDonald’s Lynwood, California location — owned by Patricia Williams — has inverted its giant “M” sign as part of the company’s marketing campaign in “celebration of women everywhere” for International Women’s Day March 8th. The fast food chain has also inverted its logo on all its social media accounts and 100 store locations will get “W” “packaging, crew shirts and hats, and bag stuffers” according to Business Insider.
Today, we flip our Golden Arches to celebrate the women who have chosen McDonald’s to be a part of their story, like the Williams family. In the U.S. we’re proud to share that 6 out of 10 restaurant managers are women. https://t.co/6z88OhjXpO pic.twitter.com/hXfOi3wWQf
— McDonald’s (@McDonalds) March 8, 2018
“In celebration of women everywhere, and for the first time in our brand history, we flipped our iconic arches for International Women’s Day in honor of the extraordinary accomplishments of women everywhere and especially in our restaurants,” global chief diversity officer Wendy Lewis, said in a statement.
“From restaurant crew and management to our C-suite of senior leadership, women play invaluable roles at all levels, and together with our independent franchise owners, we’re committed to their success.”
It’s a heartwarming message, but women online felt that it was a strange PR move. Like a lot of the “women positive” products and campaigns companies create in March (Women’s History Month), it seems pretty frivolous. No one is solving world problems here, but we’re having a good laugh at least.
Cost-Benefit Analyst: it’s cheaper to change all our signs than pay our women (and men) employees a living wage.
McDonalds: done!#McFeminism
— mario santana (@themariosantana) March 7, 2018
We’ve done it, cancel feminism it’s over we now finally have equality thank you our lord and savior @McDonalds https://t.co/FyJBANcHet
— 🏳️🌈 Reed 🏳️🌈 (@reeddeer12) March 8, 2018
International Women’s Day is great for identifying schmucks who think McDonalds or KFC will save feminism and ignoring them forever.
— Poppy Haze (@poppy_haze) March 8, 2018
i thought mcdonalds turning the m upside down was just a funny joke i didnt realize it was for feminism
— Marxus of Boobus @ WIDSOM TEETH REMOVAL (@insatiabIe1) March 8, 2018
Before looking at the image, I really thought McDonalds was turning the arches upside-down to look like a butt to celebrate women and was like, yeah not the best marketing idea. A “W” for “women” makes more sense. https://t.co/LnF4hr7uTF
— Katelyn Caralle (@Katelyn_Caralle) March 7, 2018
Other commenters suggested that McDonald’s do more than make a symbolic gesture to support women. They suggested donating to women’s shelters, reconsidering their hourly wage and addressing sexual harassment in their workplaces. Corporate feminism gets a lot of publicity but it rarely solves any of the real problems facing women. Some ladies online have branded the move “McFeminism,” which seems like the kind of word we’ll soon see in the dictionary.
Okay, but how about actually doing something? Like donate money to women’s shelters or express support for legislation that would help women. This is just flipping the stupid M.
— Penguin Respecter🐧🌹 (@actualcalzone) March 7, 2018
Hey @McDonalds, friendly reminder that the best way to honor the history of #InternationalWomensDay is to pay your employees a living wage & remove barriers to unionization. https://t.co/daGCejafL7
— Alex Asal (@Alex_In_Public) March 8, 2018
Here’s a dose of reality to go with your morning corporate PR. Women who work at @McDonalds shouldn’t be afraid to go to work. Do better than flipping your logo upside down. https://t.co/UZAzGycRNy #FightFor15 #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/BxGTrbY2lA
— Fight For 15 (@fightfor15) March 8, 2018
McDonalds: In celebration of women we are flipping the arches upside down.
Or you could give your employees better benefits.
McD: Look it’s a W!
Maybe a living wage? Better family leave? A career path forward in the face of automation?
McD: The W stands for women.
— bogwolf (@truebe) March 7, 2018
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