Starbucks to start "RaceTogether" campaign

[Axulus]

Not sure what to think about this one. Interesting experiment or dumb idea?

Starbucks to encourage baristas to discuss race relations with customers

CEO Howard Schultz has never shied away from involving his company in controversial debates, whether those debates are about same-sex marriage, or gun control, or U.S. government gridlock.

But the executive, who oversees a coffee empire with 4,700 U.S. stores, has now taken on arguably the most polarizing political debate in the United States: race relations.

Starbucks published a full page ad in the New York Times on Sunday — a stark, black, page with a tiny caption “Shall We Overcome?” in the middle, and the words “RaceTogether” with the company logo, on the bottom right. The ad, along with a similar one on Monday in USA Today, is part of an initiative launched this week by the coffee store chain to stimulate conversation and debate about the race in America by getting employees to engage with customers about the perennially hot button subject.

Beginning on Monday, Starbucks baristas will have the option as they serve customers to hand cups on which they’ve handwritten the words “Race Together” and start a discussion about race. This Friday, each copy of USA Today — which has a daily print circulation of almost 2 million and is a partner of Starbucks in this initiative — will have the first of a series of insert with information about race relations, including a variety of perspectives on race. Starbucks coffee shops will also stock the insert.

In a video addressing Starbucks’ nearly 200,000 workers, 40% of whom are members of a racial minority, Schultz dismissed the notion that race was too hot a topic business-wise for Starbucks to tackle.

“I reject that. I reject that completely,” he said in the video address. “It’s an emotional issue. But it is so vitally important to the country,” he continued, pointing to that the United States is “so much better” than what the current state of race relations portray it to be.

http://fortune.com/2015/03/16/starbucks-baristas-race-talk/

 

[Metaphor]

This won't go south at all.

 

[laughing dog]

From a company that invents words for cup sizes, I just wonder what language these baristas will use in the discussions.

 

[thebeave]

If the members of this board are anything like the Starbucks employees and customers, then I don't think this little 'experiment" is going to go well.

 

[EricK]

From a company that invents words for cup sizes, I just wonder what language these baristas will use in the discussions.

I imagine it will go something like:"would you prefer that black or white? Speaking of which..."

 

[rousseau]

Good for them. Nice to see big corporate names attempting to take some social responsibility. At the very least it sets a precedent for similar actions in other brands.

 

[Earl IV]

Blacks and Hispanics go to Starbucks?

Last time I went it was nothing but teenage (white) girls and wannabe hipsters

 

[Angry Floof]

hahaha! What could possibly go wrong?

 

[Nice Squirrel]

If the members of this board are anything like the Starbucks employees and customers, then I don't think this little 'experiment" is going to go well.

Word.

 

[dismal]

As someone else on the internets said, this makes sense because Starbucks is where African American studies majors go to work.

 

[NobleSavage]

Blacks and Hispanics go to Starbucks?

Last time I went it was nothing but teenage (white) girls and wannabe hipsters

I'm not sure what is worse, hipsters or wannabe hipsters. Anyhow, I brew my own coffee and save $1000 a year.

 

[EricK]

Blacks and Hispanics go to Starbucks?

Last time I went it was nothing but teenage (white) girls and wannabe hipsters

And maybe it is precisely that observation which the baristas will be discussing.

 

[Draconis]

Why can't they talk to me about 18th century classical music or art in the Byzantine empire? I don't care about what race people are. It's what they think that's most important.

Or maybe Star Trek?

 

[AthenaAwakened]

This sounds dumb.

 

[dismal]

Well, it brought us this, so it's not all bad:

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/during-s...est-awkwardly-informs-fellow-guest-hes-black/

 

[Malintent]

From a company that invents words for cup sizes, I just wonder what language these baristas will use in the discussions.

A Nubio, Blancio, and an Asiogian walk into a coffee bar...

 

[ronburgundy]

The best case scenario is that fights erupt and Starbucks' employees sue due to the hostile work environment.

At least that would be a signal that the conversations contain an ounce of honesty and reason, because almost everyone across the political spectrum has delusions about race issues that trigger anger when confronted with intellectual honesty and reason.

More realistically, the employees will be coached by "racial tolerance consultants" and the conversations will be superficial pap and corporate-speak that makes one regret their sense of hearing.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

This sounds dumb.

Actually it doesn't. This explains why Starbucks Baristas were required to have a Masters in sociology. Combined with Store Management being required to have a Masters in Anthropology with a concentration in race relations, this could work out really well.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

This sounds dumb.

Actually it doesn't. This explains why Starbucks Baristas were required to have a Masters in sociology. Combined with Store Management being required to have a Masters in Anthropology with a concentration in race relations, this could work out really well.

Well, that's nice. I'm glad that somebody is giving people with a Masters in Sociology a job because those guys have a hell of a time finding work. Good job, Starbucks!

 

[repoman]