Posted on 03/19/2015 7:46:24 PM PDT by grundle
Starbucks executive Corey duBrowa recently deleted his twitter account, after what he said were abusive comments as a result of his push for a campaign in which his baristas were to engage with customers about race relations.
"I was personally attacked through my Twitter account around midnight last night and the tweets represented a distraction from the respectful conversation we are trying to start around Race Together," duBrowa said. "I’ll be back on Twitter soon."
But the whole point of the conversations he promoted, was to get people talking about what is uncomfortable, and controversial. It seems childish to delete his own twitter account over it.
A story from fastcocreate.com showed just what happens when you walk into a Starbucks wanting to engage in a discussion on race. Pretty much nothing. The baristas are young kids, just trying to do their job and get through the day, and are kind of embarrassed to even bring it up. I kind of feel sorry for them.
It is the fault of the mindless executives who put the Starbucks’ employees through this, which is why I’m not a big fan of boycotts. It’s not the employee’s fault, they just have a job to do, and the money at the top is usually not as hurt as the kids making coffee.
But a friend of mine named Paul made a brilliant point.
If Starbucks wants us to talk about race, let’s start with why they don’t have Starbucks Coffee Houses in some of America’s cities that are mostly black, or have had a racially charged history?
My friend looked up various cities, and found that there are no Starbucks Coffee Houses in many of them.
Places like Highland Park, Michigan, which is at the center of Detroit, is inhabited by a population that is 94 percent African-American. Or in Benton Harbor, Michigan, which is almost 90 percent African-American. There is not a Starbucks in either town.
There is not a Starbucks in East St. Louis, Illinois, in which 98 percent of the population is African-American. Nor is there one in Gary, Indiana, whose population is 85 percent African-American.
The recent remembrance of the march on Selma, Alabama had the president walking down the street with many people who fought for civil rights, but once again, Selma doesn’t have a Starbucks. Neither does Ferguson, Missouri.
Here is the point, if Starbucks wants to have a conversation about race, perhaps they should explain why they are not accessible to most of those they claim to advocate for and champion. If being of a different race than white is higher on their list of desirables, why isn’t Starbucks putting their money where their mouth is?
Easy answer..... some people aren’t willing to pay four bucks for a cup of ice and coffee
Uh, obviously market research showed going into those communities would be financial suicide?
Let's face it, if they thought there was money to be made there, they'd be there.
That’s racist.
Because bullet-proof glass is too expensive to put in a coffee shop?
That’s not it... it’s racism... pure and simple.
Jen needs to take Econ 101.
I think the black community should sue Starbucks. How insulting that they’ve decided they’re ‘too upscale’ for black people...
Time to sue.
because they don’t sell Schlitz Malt Liquor Bull
No body who goes there gets their coffee black?
$4 for coffee!!! Might as well get a bottle of Ripple or some Mad Dog 20/20.
I need me a fowty of iced coffee!
No, they are not there because of racism plain and simple. They hate Black people or else they’d try to serve those communities.
Starbucks is merely exposing their White privilege. They need to admit it and pay reparations. Al and Jessie need to pay these guys a visit. There’s money to be made here. Obama and Holder should weigh in as well.
No one will order the November Juliet.
I think if I were them I'd cut a deal with local black leaders to give them a franchise for free, provided it's opened in those locations.
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