March 2008 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
McAmerica?
By Heather Gioia
Staff Writer
What is the American identity? Is it hot dogs and hamburgers on the Fourth of July, the Super Bowl football game, the World Series game with a bag of peanuts and singing “Take Me out to the Ball Game,” or sitting in the hot sun enjoying a NASCAR race?
The American culture is made up of a mixture of other cultures, a mixing bowl of traditions, holidays, sports, and foods from elsewhere in the world. Yet, if you drive down the road after a mile or so you are nearly guaranteed to see the legendary “Golden Arches,” and come face-to-face with one of the homemade portions of the American identity − McDonalds.
The McDonald brothers founded the first restaurant in California in the 1940s. In 1961, Ray Kroc got was drawn to the scene by the brothers’ success. Kroc then bought the operation and turned McDonalds into what it is today. By 1963 the 500th McDonalds was opened in Ohio, the 500th student graduated from Hamburger University, and the one-billionth hamburger was survived on live TV.
Today, McDonalds’ trademark Golden Arches appear outside more than 13,300 McDonalds across the nation and are an ubiquitous symbol of American Identity. McDonalds is identified with “home” when Americans travel, and poses as a restaurant they feel “safe” eating at. McDonalds has become a daily part of the American life.
McDonalds accommodates just about everyone’s schedule, and we Americans keep them busy at all hours of the day. McDonalds has helped to make us one of the largest nations and has held a place on the tip of every Americans tongue. They have started foundations to help children, namely Ronald McDonald House charities, and employed parts of the American work force.
McDonalds is a company that began here in America, was started by two American entrepreneurs, bought by another entrepreneur, and has thrived since creation. While Americans may not want to be identified by the Golden Arcs, globally the Golden Arcs of McDonalds scream “America.” Here in America, McDonalds is the one place that no matter where you go to, you can find it.
For some it is a daily stop; a common lunch, dinner, and even breakfast. Fast food, many Americans and foreigners will say, is an immense portion of the American culture and identity. Overall, McDonalds is one of the most “American” parts of it.
The Golden Arches have withstood the test of time, and are still appearing outside and inside our new favorite shopping malls. McDonalds is one of the things that make our people who we are. It is one of the reasons Americans today face so many health problems; it is the reason that different children’s programs are in existence. It is inevitably the American symbol.
