What are the main arguments in Kincheloe’s article? In what ways does McDonald’s reflect US culture? How might we relate this article to thinking about the Appalachian region?

Kincheloe’s first main argument is that McDonald’s is so powerful because it permeates everyone in America’s life, even the most private ones. McDonald accomplishes this by using a very aggressive and clever add campaign. This add campaign gains “access to the human consciousness never before imagined by the most powerful dictator” (253).  His other argument is that McDonalds is attempting to turn kids into consumers. He claims that there is a recognition by advertisers that they see that children feel oppressed by the middle class view of children as “naive entities in need of constant protection” (255).  These two arguments can relate back to Appalachia because there is a possibility that the people of the region are feeling the same way. They feel that they are being stereotyped and therefore oppressed by the middle class. McDonalds permeates almost every life, even the most isolated ones. Those in the Appalachian region, even the poorest, most likely know about McDonalds and see it as something that makes American culture. Though they are a part of America, the culture of the region is different from those around them. McDonalds is seen as a tie to the rest of the country. McDonalds being so powerful in advertising allows for this permeation into all cultures.