The Bleak Results Of Starbucks Wanting Baristas To Discuss Racism With Customers

Starbucks is trying to usher in a plan that opens up conversations about race relations, and, of course, they have a catchy name for it in “Race Together.”

An interesting concept that’s been plastered on the front page of their site and all over social media, the initiative is actually working—in the sense that people are talking about it.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz spoke to USA Today on the matter and seemed really passionate about it. He believes that opening up conversations about race produces a “high degree of empathy.”

Schultz encouraged the Starbucks baristas to engage on the topic if asked about the #RaceTogether hash tag, which could be entertaining. The idea of having a conversation with your local barista on what it was like to grow up in a certain culture, while the line is stalled and customers are trying to get the hell out of there, is pretty comical.

While it sounds like Starbucks is actually just looking to encourage conversations in general, not just from its baristas, it’s a lot more fun to hang on the thought of a barista trying to awkwardly engage with us on such a touchy issue.

Of course, Twitterers immediately chimed in with angry, snarky and generally disapproving comments:

__________

Hey @Starbucks do you REALLY want to have this convo with a big black angry under-caffeinated man who’s late for work? #RaceTogether

— Michael King (@mhking) March 18, 2015

__________

Starbucks baristas don’t get paid enough to facilitate our difficult cultural conversations. #RaceTogether — Hannah Bowman (@hannahnpbowman) March 18, 2015

  __________

#RaceTogether from #Starbucks reminds me of TV shows with diverse casts but not diverse writers’ rooms. Representation = best conversation. — Tananarive Due (@TananariveDue) March 18, 2015

__________

WOW! Just walked into my local #Starbucks & there are folks having a great conversation about race relations! Said no one ever. #RaceTogether

— Ξ BLACK REPUBLICAN Ξ (@blackrepublican) March 18, 2015

__________

I’m not interested in: “hurt feelings” racism “interpersonal relationships with whites & others” racism Only INSTITUTIONAL #RaceTogether

— Kim Love (@kimmaytube) March 18, 2015

__________

Let’s leave “race relations” in the hands of 19 year old, white, privileged hipsters. That’s the ticket! #RaceTogether

— Steven Crowder (@scrowder) March 18, 2015

__________

What exactly does #RaceTogether mean? For real? Are we being encouraged to sprint side by side? To blend ethnic heritages? Can I buy a vowel? — Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) March 18, 2015

__________

Not sure what @Starbucks was thinking. I don’t have time to explain 400 years of oppression to you & still make my train. #RaceTogether

— April (@ReignOfApril) March 17, 2015

__________

You got the conversation started, Starbucks. Where to now?