Why are people mad at Starbucks? (What is the Starbucks red cup controversy + more FAQs)

Starbucks is at the top of its game in its products, but it has not escaped criticism over various issues. So, why are people mad at Starbucks? Tag along to find out.

Starbucks has made headlines for all the wrong reasons on various occasions. The main issues that have people protesting with all guns blazing at Starbucks are diversity, racial issues, inclusivity among conservatives, and the exclusion of the famous Christmas red cup. I came across calls to boycott Starbucks online some time back, and most people were oblivious to the hot issues. This inspired me to come up with this post about issues that rubbed people the wrong way with Starbucks so that the next time you come across boycotts and demos, you will not be out of touch with the truth. By the end of this read, you will know why people are mad at this coffee chain.

What is the Starbucks red cup controversy?

Starbucks rubbed Christians the wrong way when the holiday season of 2015 failed to include the traditional red cup and all the festival themes. The Christian fraternity termed this the war against Christmas. These cups did not display any Christmas messages or any Christmas-related iconic symbols such as reindeer, snowflakes, and Christmas trees. It was an ombre-shaded cup with no Christmas symbols.

In the past, the holiday season signified the debut of red cups with all the seasonal symbols on them. When 2015 showed up with nothing festive on the cups, a group of Americans declared war on the coffee chain. The online calls for boycotts and the vigorous campaigns against Starbucks set the country on fire. The vice president of design explained that the plain cup had nothing to do with any religious issue but signified simplicity.

The news of the controversy spread like wildfire when popular televangelist, Joshua Feuerstein made allegations that Starbucks’ intentional removal of the Christmas theme on the holiday cups was a sign that the company hated Jesus and had banned employees from wishing their customers a merry Christmas. The war was amplified by the then-presidential candidate, Donald Trump, who sided with the televangelist.

Starbucks defended the cups by explaining that they sent a message of simplicity but noted that inclusivity and diversity were core values at the coffee chain. The following year, the cups came in red and white, designed by six artists worldwide, much to the delight of the critics.

How did Starbucks become a target in the culture wars?

After the controversial red cups, Starbucks continued to be at the receiving end of culture wars. In 2018, two black men were arrested in Philadelphia after a misunderstanding with a manager. The two young men had walked into a Starbucks to discuss business-related issues, and one asked to use the bathroom. According to the chain’s policy, the bathroom is reserved for paying customers.

The manager called the police and reported that the t black men refused to make a purchase or leave the store. In the next few minutes, the police swarmed the store and handcuffed the two men. This issue led to the coffee chain becoming a target of culture wars. Starbucks responded by making multiple apologies to the world and closed down to train its staff on racial biases and how to avoid it. The coffee chain’s perception ranked lowest since the red cup controversy after this distasteful incident.

Did Starbucks hire refugees?

In 2017, Starbucks showed its support for refugees by agreeing to hire 10,000 in all the 75 countries it does business in a span of five years. This came in the wake of Donald Trump’s executive order barring refugees from entering the United States. Starbucks has continued to honor the pledge, according to IRC.

Starbucks is committed to working with refugee resettlement organizations to make a smooth transition for the displaced people globally. In Europe, Starbucks promised to hire 2500 refugees in the same commitment. Among the 10,000 refugees who would be hired, 500 would work as permanent baristas in the United Kingdom. In 2019, the IRC settlement organization thanked the coffee chain for continuing to honor its promise of hiring refugees.

Final Thoughts

Starbucks has a core policy of inclusivity and diversity and has continued to show support to refugees by hiring them globally. Despite the infamous executive order in 2017 to bar refugees from entering the United States, the coffee giant has continued to honor its pledge to date.

FAQ SECTION

When did Starbucks start the red cups?

Starbucks’ first-holiday cup was made during the holiday season of the year 1999.

Is Starbucks releasing a new holiday cup?

Yes, Starbucks will release its holiday cup in November, as is the norm in all holiday seasons.