When I began work on corporation-free.org, I had McDonald's in mind for the fast food slot in the Big 8. They are, after all, the model global corporation. Then a friend of mine who really cares about animal rights suggested that I should look into KFC. I’m not big on animal rights myself (cruelty within our own species is shocking enough), but I said I would look into it.
Two things changed mind:
Firstly, I learned about the way KFC's chickens are bred and drugged to grow to ‘killing weight’ in just 2 months fed on soya that is grown in deforested areas of the Amazon.
Secondly, after years of pressure over workers rights abuses, rainforest clearing, animal cruelty and the dubious nutritional value of their food, McDonald's now appear to be leading the sector away from such bad behaviour.
But should we forgive and forget? While I welcome any improvements, I am not ready to forgive. McDonald’s have a lot more to do before they come close to redemption in my eyes. Plus I’m not keen on their food, so I will continue to avoid them.
As for forgetting, when it comes to corporations, we must have memories like elephants, rather than goldfish. Whatever their PR people say, their motivation must remain the same: profit. Behaving responsibly rarely increases profit margins, so real change is only comes about when sustained pressure from activists and consumers starts to effect the bottom-line. If we forget, they can revert to old bad habits without anyone noticing.
Pete
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