My political and religious beliefs are none of Starbucks’ business.

I don’t argue with friends about their views – I respect theirs and they respect mine.

The only thing Starbucks should stick to is making latte.

NormanF on March 18, 2015 at 3:23 pm

Here’s some questions:

How does slinging bitter overpriced coffee enable you to engage me and judge me on race relations?

You’re half my age. How do you plan to enlighten me with your deep thoughts on an issue as complex and long-running as race relations?

My grandfather was discriminated against for employment because he was an Irish immigrant. Does that mean I’m entitled to reparations?

Is it asking too much to wait to see if you can even spell my name on the cup correctly before I listen to your race-baiting drivel about my whiteness?

Is it racist that Michelle Obama’s mom was worried because Barack was half WHITE? or that she was glad he wasn’t ALL white?

Sean M on March 18, 2015 at 3:38 pm

Just a lingustical note…

Can’t speak about Italian, but in Spanish, words (denoting profession or membership, etc.) will end in -ista but be both masculine and feminine. Therefore, Juan would say he is “mexicanO” but a “dentistA.” Fidel Castro is “cubanO” and also a “comunistA.”

I suspect it might be the same with Italian and barista.

Brad on March 18, 2015 at 3:39 pm

When I watch old TV shows like the Dean Martin Roasts, sometimes I think that Americans had a healthier attitude about race and race relations. Here’s a time capsule from a Roast of the great comedian Redd Foxx from 1976 to will show you what I mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T68VQjTtiM
Clearly the black and white comedians have great respect for one another and yet they have so much fun joking about race relations. In today’s absurd politically correct climate, you’ll never see shows like this again.

Ralph Adamo on March 18, 2015 at 3:50 pm

this suprises me from a liability point of view… sure, it’s ok to mention race to whites, even if they’re offended that you’ve asked, it’s a sure bet you won’t be attacked. but many blacks have that hair trigger mentality and i give it a couple weeks until some dopey barista get’s her äss kicked right next to the espresso machine.

let’s be honest, where does the conversation go between a white employee/black customer, or vice versa? “so, what do you think about this crap going down in ferguson?” “crap?! you racist whitey cracka mother f*cker… stay right there while i go get my gack”

afterwards, big time lawsuit from the dead employee’s family for starbucks.
this outta be interesting…

glad_i_make_coffee_at_home on March 18, 2015 at 4:03 pm

Looney Tunes, but it probably won’t last too long.

A customer or barista (using the accepted term) will get reported for being racist, there will be publicity, and this idiocy will stop.

BTW, I’d bet most baristas will largely limit their discussion of race to customers they want to pick up or get to know better.

A little further on this subject, the Republicans will undoubtedly miss a golden opportunity to puncture the racism idiocy we are all being subjected to.

Most readers of this column will know that the liberals are calling Netanyahu a racist because he appealed to patriotic Israelis to make sure and vote, in order to prevent the internal Arab enemies of Israel from gaining more power.

Although the Republicans aren’t addressing this particular issue directly in most cases, they are certainly defending Netanyahu verbally against Obama and the media liberals.

it’s too bad that they won’t go the next step and point out that just like Netanyahu is not a racist, so the people against affirmative action, or who think Sterling should have kept his club, or think SAE has a right to due process, and to a lesser punishment (to the extent any punishment would apply at all, which I don’t think should be the case) are not racists either.

The Israeli elections would a tremendous opportunity to segue into a discussion of how ridiculous the racism standards are.

(but Starbucks is a close second, for as long as it lasts)

Little Al on March 18, 2015 at 4:21 pm

And the picturesque analogies???

Little Al on March 18, 2015 at 4:24 pm

I swear. You could write stand up. HILARIOUS

'Darrellhicks450@baristo.com on March 18, 2015 at 4:39 pm

All their coffee tastes burned – like those old office, glass, coffee-urns that have been sitting all day with just a little bit left in the bottom. Do people have no taste?

Haven’t set foot in a Starbucks in at least 10 years.

DS_ROCKS! on March 18, 2015 at 5:54 pm

I stopped going to Staryucks years ago. Overpriced and Overhyped battery acid is not to my taste. In addition, if I cannot legally carry a firearm to defend myself while shopping at the store, why bother?

Peter on March 18, 2015 at 6:41 pm

Barrista: Let’s talk about race, racist.

Me: You exploit peasants in developing countries, racist.

Barrista: No! They exploit us, or haven’t you tried the coffee yet.

adam on March 18, 2015 at 6:53 pm

This race conversation campaign will not last long. I feel for the Starbucks employees most of whom are just trying to earn a living. They will sound like insincere fools and may be putting themselves in harms way.

PaulaMalka on March 18, 2015 at 8:41 pm

Starbucks and Kroger need to get some gonads and put some stores in smaller Midwestern towns. Both of these stores placate the Obama crowd and put stores in inner cities but they refuse to put stores in small towns in the Heart of America and they refuse to put stores along interstates.

Confederate on March 18, 2015 at 8:46 pm

hoo the

puh – fuque

are they to bring up the ? of race ??

why don’t they
shut up
sell coffee
take their profit

and

be content

prestigio on March 18, 2015 at 9:06 pm

Ahh, more lefty liberal poppycock suggesting that the problem is whites aren’t in a ‘dialogue’ about race.

Deb is right. Whites are encouraged to ‘dialogue’ about race, until they say the truth and it destroys the leftist narrative that blacks are sweet innocent angels being victimized by evil white racists.

PitandPen on March 19, 2015 at 12:19 am

ROTFLMAO!!! Debbie, you’re a trip.

Thanks to Brad for pointing out the obvious about certain languages, and the confusion those who don’t speak them encounter.

Yes, if John Wayne had ever visited Puerto Rico, or name your favorite “real man,” even he would have been referred to as a “turista”, Debbie, LOL!!!

And why DO you get your coffee from Starbucks? Try Oren’s, Uncle Beanz and a few others, but not CHARbucks. They suck. I admit, I’d rather have bad coffee than no coffee, but Charbucks sucks. Trader Joe’s has some excellent coffees considering the price. Grade B or a bit less compared to the topflight roasters, but when you factor in the price, unbeatable if you’re on a budget.

I’ve been hand grinding for over 23 years, and using the French Press for about 22. It’s the method I settled on after trying various others.

As for the subject of racism, my blond haired, blue eyed, pasty white, outmoded Euro centric ass has been subjected to it since I was four years old. I’m sick of racism being practiced on me, including the accusation that I’m automatically a racist because of what I look like.

If any barista, bastard, or whatever the heck they are ever attempts to start a conversation with me about race while they are selling me a product, I have a solution. I will politely excuse myself from the establishment. I will then contact the Better Business Bureau, and the local political authorities.

I will also consult an attorney about possibly having had my privacy and civil rights violated. And after that, I will consult internet savvy friends of mine to try to inform others, and possibly start a boycott campaign against the establishment or company involved.

We need to STOP talking about race in this country. I’ve been hearing we need to have a discussion about race for the past half century. NO, we need to STOP talking about race.

Alfredo from Puerto Rico on March 19, 2015 at 12:54 am

Race Baiting at your coffee joint. We have so many things to look forward to. :O

Worry on March 19, 2015 at 1:21 am

I like Alfredo’s CHARbucks as per DS ROCK’s comment it tastes burned. I had a Flat White in a Starbucks inside a Safeways last visit to the US and it wasn’t like that typical experience, pretty close to its country of origin actually. Not bad. But being engaged to talk about race would ruin the experience.

Bronson on March 19, 2015 at 2:38 am

I don’t go to Starbucks – as I can get better and cheaper coffee at home, in more comfort, and with a view of the sea. So I hadn’t realised it was so Politically Correct. Can you only order coffee there if you have the Korrect viewpoint?

And how can they tell you aren’t faking it, just to get a coffee? I think they will need to install lie detectors at every branch.

However, should I ever find myself at a Starbucks, I hope I would view it as a chance to witness.

According to the Hebrew Scriptures, there are no separate races – we are all the fatally-flawed children of disobedient Adam, with an even closer common ancestor in faithful Noah. Genesis tells us that everyone alive on earth today is the descendant of one of the three sons of Noah.

So, should I ever find myself being served coffee by a barista/baristo who is interrogating me about my views on race before I am allowed my coffee, I need to be sure I have both my Bible and the publication: “The Origin of Life” with me, as a giant smokescreen of Evolution, Evolution, Evolution has been erected to stop us seeing what Genesis is clearly and simply telling us.

Whether that is acceptable in PC terms I don’t know – the Zeitgeist changes with the wind anyway – but it is the truth. And, if they deny me my coffee, as I said, I can get a nicer and cheaper cup at home.

sue on March 19, 2015 at 2:58 am

This is foolish and makes no sense. I could only imagine some overly sensitive Black snapping on some young White worker who tries to innocently converse. Of course its taken the the wrong way and there you go.
Aren’t most of the workers at Starbucks young, why put them through this mess? I don’t drink coffee.
Just Dumb. Dumb

Huh? Wha? on March 19, 2015 at 3:05 am

Best coffee one can buy is at Speedway. You can blend it to your individual liking…for .99.

K: I agree. Speedway coffee is very good. But it is often loaded, loaded, loaded with sugar (far more than Starbucks flavor shots). And people often want to meet me at Starbucks b/c it is convenient. You can’t do that with Speedway. Speedway, on the other hand, doesn’t ask you to talk about race. DS

Kent on March 19, 2015 at 9:19 am

One slight correction to the article:

“any criticism of anyone in a position of prominence who happens to be Black (Barack Obama!) is racist”

That should read, “any criticism of anyone in a position of prominence who happens to be LIBERAL ( Marxist, Socialist, Progressive, Communist, etc. ) Black (Barack Obama!) is racist” — in fact, if it happens to be a Conservative Black, “criticism,” slander, libel, ad-hominem attacks, defamation of character are not just permissible, but actually MANDATORY — FAILURE to do so, is punishable by six-years-to-life imprisonment, and forfeiture of all worldly and reputation-based assets.

Still Educating the Idiots on March 19, 2015 at 9:20 am

I’m African American and I think it’s a ridiculous thing to ask of Starbucks employees.I,for one,never discuss race with whites because they don’t get it,so what’s the point?

yonah hall on March 19, 2015 at 9:26 am

I dont drink coffee( i have dyspepsia and ulcers)so I dont care

moe-dearornistan on March 19, 2015 at 9:31 am

Deb, you slammed that right out of the ballpark. When a lib invites you to talk about race, they only want the discussion to be about the evil “White Devils” sticking their pitchforks into the downtrodden blacks & other “minorities”. Plus, does anyone really want to be preached to by some skinny, hippie-parented, leftwing, uninformed, coffee server? I think not!

MuzzCrusher on March 19, 2015 at 9:46 am

Are we now going to begin to hear about spies, or plants, employed by the Company, who are sent in, disguised as customers, in order to entrap those Baristas who fail to toe the Party, I mean, Company, line, when taking the racist “customer’s” order ? Public show-trials, perhaps ?

Still Educating the Idiots on March 19, 2015 at 9:46 am

Gag Worthy Material: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/03/18/starbucks-annual-meeting-fast-food-restaurants-social-issues-race-together/24955733/

Worry on March 19, 2015 at 9:51 am

We’ve been having a conversation, or rather a monologue, on race for 40+ years. Where has that gotten us in race relations? Generally speaking, most people get along fine. As with all issues, it’s the 10% fringes on either side that muck up everything. Think about your daily interactions with minorities? Are they contentious or do you just get along?

JeffT on March 19, 2015 at 10:50 am

Being a FLAT (broke) WHITE when the Batista barista asked me how I liked my coffee I said: “Like my wife”. Puzzled, she asked “How’s that?” I replied: “Short, bold, black, sweet, skinny, wet, with legs” End of race conversation. Perhaps by making the race conversation a little “racy” it become taboo, or at least tabled (for two).

Michael Stanley on March 19, 2015 at 10:54 am

I have never been to a Starbucks, now I really will never be at a Starbucks. I don’t know, I would prefer to call the not very highly paid counter person a clerk, or a waiter, or almost anything but a barista.

Is it January 2017 yet? I am all “raced” out. I mean really, really full, maxed out, cant stand any more, 100%, bloated even.

Al H. on March 19, 2015 at 1:37 pm

” I wouldn’t discuss race with Blacks because most are too dumb &”

Are you an authority on Blacks? Who are you some King of Bigots. The people here, what sewer did you crawl out of?”
Its Bigots like you who keep it going and why the CEO feels the need for this dumb implemented plan. You, person are part of the problem not the solution. Yuck!

Disgusting people on March 19, 2015 at 2:31 pm

If I were a bartista, I would start my first conversation as follows:

Historically, you get the black vote by giving them a tiny amount of money. Just enough money to buy government, oil based cheese, a small 2 bed, 2 bath house with cinder block floors and a 0.16% chance to go to college on a government scholarship. Per capita, you buy their votes with what amounts to $20 a day.

If actually doing something substantial for them actually garnered votes, you’d have no problems pulling them over to the Republican party… but no. They are easily bought with government cheese and run down houses that the Democrats lock them down in for generations and… apparently they’re fine with that.

On one hand, you could promise them all $15/hr jobs, real quality health insurance, nicer schools and cleaner neighborhoods… but of course it comes with the catch that they have to work for it or they lose their government aid. Democrats say, “Republicans want to take your money. Here, have some cheese, a cheap roach infested government tenement and vote for us!”

(This is a comment I found on the web, I liked it so much, I had to share) Now don’t you think that would make a great ice-breaker?

Ice Breaker on March 19, 2015 at 2:49 pm

Maybe we should ask the owner of Starbucks how much “diversity” is in his neighborhood? Does he live in a wealthy community that has no diversity, like most limousine liberals do?

Reverend Wright bought a house in Tinley Park, Illinois in a gated community that is 93% white and only 2% black. For someone who hates white people, he sure doesn’t mind living around them. On another note, his daughter was recently arrested for money laundering.

Jean on March 19, 2015 at 4:27 pm

I gave up on Starbucks when they played the anti-gun ideology.

I get my coffee at the Thom Thumb for $84 cents with the senior discount. T astes the same to me.

My questions would be to a geek barista:

Would we be having this dialogue about race if we had a white president? Also, would we be having this discussion if we did not have slavery in America? Furthermore, do you give a fuck about this racial confrontation and if so why?

Panhandle on March 19, 2015 at 5:50 pm

Ask baristas if Schultz pays them a “living wage”. Being a liberal in good standing he probably doesn’t, but thinks that McDonalds, Burger King and all the other fast food chains should.

CornCoLeo on March 19, 2015 at 6:07 pm

“How many Black People, percentage wise voted for Obama-Putin and the Donks? It’s in the 90 percentile. That’s all you need to know that proves my point”

Your disgusting hateful argument, so you are not a very bright person. I have seen where people like you always throw in Black peoples faces that Blacks voted for Mr.O because he Black. You are ignorant. Blacks always vote for Dems regardless Black or White. You are hateful, a hatemonger. Pure sewage. Facts as you say? I have facts below. Those percentages are in reference to the Black vote.

Obama 93%
Romney 6%

2008 (13%)
Obama 95%
McCain 4%

2004 (11%)
Kerry 88%
Bush 11%

2000 (10%)
Gore 90%
Bush 9%

1996 (10%)
Clinton 84%
Dole 12%
Perot 4%

1992 (8%)
Clinton 83%
Bush 10%
Perot 7%

1988 (10%)
Dukakis 89%
Bush 11%

1984 (10%)
Mondale 91%
Reagan 9%

1980 (10%)
Carter 83%
Reagan 14%
Anderson 3%

1976 (9%)
Carter 83%
Ford 17%

Disgusting people on March 19, 2015 at 6:21 pm

Disgusting spewed:
Facts as you say? I have facts below.

You just proved Skunky’s point, but you’re too stupid to realize it.

DS_ROCKS! on March 19, 2015 at 6:54 pm

I liked Dopey Peeps dropping the basketball-jones into my own net so much I’m gonna re-post the lobotomized fool’s stats one mo’ time! LOLOL!!!!

“These percentages are in reference to the Black vote.”

Obama 93%
Romney 6%

2008 (13%)
Obama 95%
McCain 4%

2004 (11%)
Kerry 88%
Bush 11%

2000 (10%)
Gore 90%
Bush 9%

1996 (10%)
Clinton 84%
Dole 12%
Perot 4%

1992 (8%)
Clinton 83%
Bush 10%
Perot 7%

1988 (10%)
Dukakis 89%
Bush 11%

1984 (10%)
Mondale 91%
Reagan 9%

1980 (10%)
Carter 83%
Reagan 14%
Anderson 3%

1976 (9%)
Carter 83%
Ford 17%

No sh**, Sherlock! That’s why there is a 70% PLUS out-of-wedlock birth rate disaster for that Identity Politic demographic. Oh, snap!

Skunky on March 19, 2015 at 7:48 pm

I think the real question is how did Ford and Reagan get such high results from the Black community? No one else seems to get close to 10%. Interesting. What did they do differently?

Interesting on March 20, 2015 at 3:05 am

This isn’t about race relations, this is about reminding me of my so called WHITE PRIVILEGE.
I stopped going to Starbucks a long time ago because:

1) Starbucks closed all of their stores in Israel due to alleged “security concerns”; however Starbucks has no problem opening numerous stores in Muslim majority nations where stonings, beheadings and closing for the month of Ramadan appear not to be an issue.

2) No concealed carry.
I don’t own a gun, but why would I go to into any establishment
that refuses to uphold my 2nd amendment rights?

3) Starbucks is usually packed with snotty, self righteous, condescending, pseudo intellectual Leftists.
Enough said.

4) Why would I pay $2.00 or more for a bitter, burnt cup of crap, served by a 19 year old waitress/waiter who will try to talk to me about race BEFORE I’ve had my morning coffee?

JD on March 20, 2015 at 4:06 am

I’ve never like Starbucks. Their coffee is too high priced and it taste like burnt sludge. Wawa and 7-11 have cheaper and better tasting java anyway. It is funny though to see the people in either Barnes and Noble or Farm fresh sit in their little areas reading their various literary tools while drinking their brews. You have to wonder now when the usually young barista, baristool, baristupid whatever is talking about when they deliver the drinks to the patrons. If I happen to go to a Starbucks in the really distant future and was asked by one of these pimply faced goofs about race I would pose this single question: Have race relations gotten better under the reign of Obama yes or no? Any liberal whether they work at Charbucks(thanks Alfredo)or not cannot answer this question honestly but it’s fun watching them try.

Ken B on March 20, 2015 at 10:47 am

More sophistry- just what our society needs. I’m glad to see the usual supects in here bringing up things that would only bounce off any barista’s numb skull.
I’m concerned, though; because, I would have expected to see a comment from the resident dummy bigotD. I hope that one of his fellow B.U.A.N. members has not done him some harm.

nadie on March 20, 2015 at 1:01 pm

Mr. Nadie, you and I have never had any banter or exchanges that I can remember, but by the comment you made and your sarcasm, its clear you don’t agree with posts that I have posted in the past.
However you checked on me, thanks.
As far as this issue, its dumb, I think its silly to put stress on a teenager to discuss race. Not to mention I will admit that Blacks can be oversensitive with race issues, so I could easily see a scenario where a young White worker attempts to discuss race and a Black person takes what they said wrong and they fly off the handle. Lol. Not a good idea. Very silly.

B.U.A.N on March 21, 2015 at 3:20 am

yeah. I stopped responding to you long ago with your implicit threat of stomping somebody else’s head in because of one thing, or another, that you disagreed with. I felt no need to say anything, because Skunky usually deals with you in the most efficient manner.
Your words, and hollow attempts such as Starbucks’ vain efforts, only add to my cynicism.

nadie on March 21, 2015 at 12:18 pm

Thank you Nadie, it’s my altruistic service for the very smart regulars here. He’s lame because he plays handle games…as if his dopey-ness can’t be detected.

And look above. We have a cockroach that has returned to sully the usual greatness of this blog. And that effete, wimpy, genital-less retardo moron has hi-jacked the nom de plume of my all-time favourite writer. As if. Roachy, you could NEVER be Ed McBain if you took his books & shredded them into liquid with a blender and drank it with your AM “Black Flag” plonk. I usually ignore you but you annoy me so much I just had to let myself like being annoyed by your preternatural annoyingness this one time. Take off!

Skunky on March 21, 2015 at 7:57 pm

I see attempting cordial dialogue with you is foolish. Do not ask about me again. Meatball.

B.U.A.N on March 22, 2015 at 12:12 am

Of Course Starbucks was going to ax this idea. You all had to know this wasn’t going to last. Duh

Common Sense on March 23, 2015 at 1:35 pm

CS, Starbucks claims not to have axed the idea at all. Why do you believe otherwise?

skzion on March 23, 2015 at 9:21 pm

Here is a link.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/03/23/starbucks-baristas-stop-writing-race-together-on-cups/

Common Sense on March 24, 2015 at 12:46 am