The article “Junk Food Industry’s Shameful Targeting of Black and Latino Youth” written by Anna Lappé was published on May 27th, 2014 and examines how junk food companies deliberately target Black and Latino youth to consume their products. It goes on to argue that as a result, young people of color are more likely to experience the health consequences, like childhood obesity and diabetes, associated with fast food and sugary drinks. Lappé references numerous studies and reports and argues through emotion and vivid imagery.
She uses her position as an educated white woman and parent to present a compelling argument to readers who might not be familiar with the content of the article but are …show more content…
Lappé includes specific percentages that show young people of color are at a higher risk and cites the influence of junk food and the disproportionately high percentages of advertisements aimed at specific demographics. Lappé breaks down a number of ways these advertising campaigns reach young people and students in classrooms, in their neighborhoods, and on their television. Schools in low-income communities or that lack resources are offered pouring rights that require them to meet sales quotas or curricula created by companies like Oreo, Hershey’s, and Coca-Cola. Programs like McDonald’s 365Black.com, a social platform “celebrating African American history 365 days a year, are designed for Black communities and littered with …show more content…
Rob Jackson, marketing director at McDonald’s, is quoted acknowledging how his company tries to talk to customers “through a cultural lens” (qtd. in Lappé). Lappé points out that other companies have roles like “head of multicultural marketing” to reach communities of color. She also quotes Rene Almeling, Yale assistant professor of sociology: “In the United States, there are deep and persistent racial inequalities in health… One of the potential consequences of directing such advertising to African-American and Latino children is that those inequalities will continue into the next generation” (qtd. Lappé). The connection between these statements offers solid evidence to support the argument of the