Why I'm Boycotting Starbucks
Update:
Just to note - many people have said they asked Starbucks about their issue and Starbuck's reply is that they don't have anything to do with the dinner. But they mean the dinner itself and who the speaker is. But they are corporate sponsor and will have a table there as they indicate in their statement.
They are playing it both ways - we're in but we didn't decide on anything. Except to give their financial support to a right-wing organization.
end of update
There had been a rumor that Starbucks supported the Washington State right-wing thinktank, the Washington Policy Center. Their sponsorship dollars are helping to throw WPC's annual fundraising dinner that features Sec'y Betsy DeVos and Fox's Neil Cavuto. I was aghast but thought it was probably not true.
It IS. I talked with their newsroom and here is their lackluster statement:
The Washington Policy Center is far-right free market group. They are affiliated with the Koch brothers and ALEC, two groups set on undermining our country including public education.
Betsy DeVos is one of the most singularly unqualified people to ever serve in a cabinet. Her stated goals will completely destroy public education as we know it.
Here's my stated goal: I'm done with Starbucks and I'm going to ask you to consider doing the same except first, go to your local Starbucks and tell them why they won't be seeing your smiling face any longer.
Starbucks gets to spend its bucks anyway they like but my dollars won't support Betsy DeVos' efforts nor ALEC nor the Koch brothers.
Just to note - many people have said they asked Starbucks about their issue and Starbuck's reply is that they don't have anything to do with the dinner. But they mean the dinner itself and who the speaker is. But they are corporate sponsor and will have a table there as they indicate in their statement.
They are playing it both ways - we're in but we didn't decide on anything. Except to give their financial support to a right-wing organization.
end of update
There had been a rumor that Starbucks supported the Washington State right-wing thinktank, the Washington Policy Center. Their sponsorship dollars are helping to throw WPC's annual fundraising dinner that features Sec'y Betsy DeVos and Fox's Neil Cavuto. I was aghast but thought it was probably not true.
It IS. I talked with their newsroom and here is their lackluster statement:
"Starbucks is one of 80 sponsors of this Washington Policy Center dinner and we are not involved in determining speakers for any of their events. This event in Bellevue is one of many they host each year with a variety of speakers discussing policy issues. We will be attending as part of our annual membership."Well Starbucks, I don't care if your money decided the speaker or not.
The Washington Policy Center is far-right free market group. They are affiliated with the Koch brothers and ALEC, two groups set on undermining our country including public education.
Betsy DeVos is one of the most singularly unqualified people to ever serve in a cabinet. Her stated goals will completely destroy public education as we know it.
Here's my stated goal: I'm done with Starbucks and I'm going to ask you to consider doing the same except first, go to your local Starbucks and tell them why they won't be seeing your smiling face any longer.
Starbucks gets to spend its bucks anyway they like but my dollars won't support Betsy DeVos' efforts nor ALEC nor the Koch brothers.
Comments
Flummoxed
Bummer
Enough Polotics
To note, what they are saying is they are not DIRECTLY involved in the dinner. They didn't pick the speaker, blah, blah, blah. But they ARE corporate sponsors of WPC and therefore, their dollars support WPC's efforts and viewpoints.
EP, well, Starbucks is not a company like most of the ones aligned with WPC. Maybe I will list all of them and then suggest avoiding them as well. Thanks for the good idea.
I know Starbucks well. I am a former partner, and have had a family connection since middle school. I am all for voting with our dollars. I just am not sure singling out one organization that primarily does a tremendous amount of good, is the solution to the horrible situation we find ourselves in with schools, education, etc.
I get very concerned when something appears as Ready, Fire, then Aim. (Not your actions at all, just what I have seen around this one particular conflict). I want to model for the right what we would like to see from them. I was particularly concerned with Fuse's petition as it labels Starbucks as a sponsor but when Fuse was contacted they said, well they are not actually a sponsor but have a table at the event. Their petition still states that Starbucks is a sponsor.
My other concern is that this singles out one company because it does good and we are baffled by it. How about listing all of the companies, or going through the list of board members and finding out where they work? And even if we did all that, would that help us reach our goal of fully funded, developmentally appropriate, socially just education?
There is so much wrong right now. I am not sure why this heated me so much except that I am so overwhelmed with horrible news that this seemed tangible to respond to. I don't have the magic answer. I do know that my biggest take away from the election is that we have a lot of people in this country that feel unheard and are fearful. Boycotts, while at times highly successful, do not bring people to the table. They shame, punish and judge. They may create the end result in that one case, but they rarely create connection, heal divide and suggest how we might do a better job of respecting difference while cooperating to solve problems.
I think we get so much further by listening, by understanding, by connecting. I believe this deeply in my work with families and educators and I believe it deeply when it comes to politics and social change. Here's a great example of the power of connection and listening that gives me hope. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/03/the-audacity-of-talking-about-race-with-the-klu-klux-klan/388733/
I know we are all doing our best, and I totally respect the decisions we each make in order to create a healthier more just society.
Warmly,
Sarina
MyOpinion
They can! And we can speak up in opposition to their support. That's how it works.
Enough 'polotics'? What world are you living in? It ain't the same one the rest of us are in, apparently.
Thank you, Melissa for being on this and we're looking forward to hearing how- and if- Starbucks decides to unwind themselves from this.
Oddly, Starbucks is not listed in their annual report for the last two years which leads me to believe that there is a backdoor way to donate. I am happy - as I already said - to list all the other people/entities who donate (some who I was not surprised to see and some that I was).
Shaming is a great gift with social media. You may not have a millennial but I have two and they are very savvy about holding companies accountable. It works. So if some companies consider who they give money to based on consumers who are not happy with that support, fine with me.
I hear you on the state of our society. But those to the right are not listening and haven't been for years, if not decades. I've been in Olympia, I hear the NRA win, time after time, and I'm tired of trying to be the one to find compromise and consensus as all adults should.
Starbucks can do whatever they want with their money but I'm going to make sure that as many people know that as possible. Let's see what Diane Ravitch has to say. Or maybe Valerie Strauss at the Washington Post.
I get that people like Starbucks and have had great experiences with them, but that doesn't invalidate the fact that they are funding a key right-wing think tank and helping them bring DeVos to our state.
Peet Tully
No person or company is all bad or all good and let's not white-wash any of it.
Be nice to the people who live and work in your neighborhood, especially when they're working an entry level customer service job.
Some poor kid's gonna take the brunt of your advice.
Blue Collar
Word of warning.. this caused a man's livelihood
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/cfo-food-stamps-controversial-viral-video/story?id=29533695
Starbucks has crappy coffee and have destroyed many a business - Torefazione anyone?
Just don't go there period but keep your verbal diatribe to letters to management
- Old Timer
As well, Starbucks is in no danger of going under but shaming a big corporation is a good way to get them to think about their actions. As well, I think it good idea to have a face to face interaction with a manager and not just send a letter that goes in the garbage. At the least, go to Starbucks' Facebook page and do it.
- Old Timer
How very divisive and exclusive our politics and ideology have become.
Of course, you should feel free to spend your money as you wish. But to attempt to "shame" a corporation or a person over their politics is just hateful.
Wile E. Coyote
What they ARE doing is giving sums of money to this group to continue their work of trying to dismantle public education in this country.
We absolutely can shame companies, churches, groups - over any idea that is political. It's how our country operates and if you think it isn't being done on the right, you're wrong.
And yes, I know the right engages in shaming as does the left. That doesn't mean it's effective and doesn't mean it should continue. You will continue, that's clear.
Wile
I am boycotting and will not be back!!
Whataburger Customer Satisfaction Survey