Question 1 In what ways did McDonald’s play a role during the Ferguson protests of 2014, and how does this reflect the broader historical relationship between McDonald’s and Black communities? Answer McDonald’s served purely as a community refuge during the protests, reflecting its positive, non-political role in urban Black neighborhoods. McDonald’s was a paradox, serving as a vital community space during a racial crisis while also reflecting the deeper economic and social challenges in Black communities. McDonald’s was a passive symbol during the protests, with its presence signifying nothing more than a physical backdrop to the unrest. McDonald’s became a target of the protests due to its role in the gentrification of predominantly Black neighborhoods in Ferguson.