McDonald's Apologizes For Restaurant's Ban On Black People

The racism shown toward Blacks comes amid growing hostility toward Africans in China.

SHANGHAI, CHINA – FEBRUARY 23: A McDonald’s brand fast food in the Chinese capital on February 23, 2018 in Shanghai, China. Many foreign brands are established in the country despite their difficulties in establishing themselves on the Chinese market, in competition with local brands. (Photo by Vincent Isore/IP3/Getty Images)

By Tanya A. Christian · Updated November 4, 2020

McDonald’s is apologizing after one of its restaurants in China posted a sign on its door forbidding Black people from entering. The public display of racism comes amid growing hostility toward Black people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sign, posted to a restaurant location in China’s port city of Guangzhou, went viral over the weekend after a video of it was shared on social media. “Notice: We’ve been informed that from now on black people are not allowed to enter the restaurant,” the sign read. “For the sake of your health consciously notify the local police for medical isolation, please understand the inconvenience caused.”

The public uproar from the video that shows someone holding the sign before handing it over to a McDonald’s employee caused the popular fast-food chain to respond with disapproval.

Again, for those who still doubt that Black people and particularly #AfricansinChina are being targeted we feel it is our duty to share this. A sign at a @McDonalds restaurant seems to make this perfectly clear pic.twitter.com/FaveKrdQHi
— Black Livity China (@BlackLivityCN) April 11, 2020

A sign posted on a McDonald’s in China displays racism and xenophobia toward Blacks in the East Asian country.

“McDonald’s China apologizes unreservedly to the individual and our customers,” McDonald’s spokeswoman Regina Hui said in a statement to the Washington Post, adding that the restaurant was directed to remove the sign. McDonald’s has also said it will use the incident as a teachable moment to “further educate managers and employees on our values, which includes serving all members of the communities in which we operate.”

According to the BBC, Guangzhou is a hub for African traders and is home to one of China’s largest African communities. The government there responded to the backlash by saying that it was concerned about the hostility shown towards black people and “is working promptly to improve.”

—

ESSENCE is committed to bringing our audience the latest facts about COVID-19 (coronavirus). Our content team is closely monitoring the developing details surrounding the virus via official sources and health care experts, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Please continue to refresh ESSENCE’s informational hub for updates on COVID-19, as well as for tips on taking care of yourselves, your families and your communities.

TOPICS: Africans in China China coronavirus outbreak COVID-19 pandemic McDonald's