STARBUCKING

 

     "Race forward," spoke Starbucks, but were their now back to bantering baristas...
...going to get training - and a raise - to talk to customers about this highly charged topic?
     At corporate, were the cubicles and corridors humming with deep discussion?
Was the company genuinely concerned - or was this a contrived marketing gimmick?

 

     Because in the case of most of their locations, the slogan was "preaching to the choir,"
Few are in low income and/or racial and ethnic "conflict zones,"
     The moneyed have morphed from donating to conspicuous "feel good" consumption...was this thought to be the next logical leap of faith?
Broaching a subject so hot where it is needed most could have gotten a barista broken bones!

    

     Ever tried to "reason" with an addict in search of a fix?
How many times have you heard "don't talk to me before I've had my morning cup?"
     And there's everyday etiquette - avoid politics and religion in civil conversation with relative strangers,
Pretentious ploy! Planned for a year, pulled after a week...is the consumer finally starting to get fed up?

 

     Craft caffeine...logo lust...discriminating drinks...a church on every corner,
Hasn't Howard Schultz already thrust enough of his vision for the world upon US?
     Wake up! Smell the coffee! Exercise freedom of association, "come together" in protest,
Choose not to be continued to be chained to basic brew being relegated to the back of the bus!

 

Karen Ann DeLuca