Starbucks Under Fire For Banning Workers From Wearing Black Lives Matter Gear
Starbucks made a very public statement in support of Black Lives Matter movement, but it seems that the company has different view behind the scenes. The coffee giant has banned employees from wearing t-shirts or pins promoting BLM, as it may be misconstrued and could potentially incite violence, Buzzfeed News reports.
The outlet obtained an internal memo sent out in response to store managers who contacted higher-ups on behalf of employees who wanted to include BLM-related items on their uniforms. The memo reiterates the company's "carefully considered and defined" dress code policy that states that employees are only allowed to wear company-issued buttons and pins. Buttons supporting LBTQ rights are exempt from the restriction.
Starbucks posted a lengthy message of support for BLM earlier in the week.
https://twitter.com/Starbucks/status/1268513794172411905 As for employees promoting BLM, the memo directed them to a since deleted video explaining how "there are agitators who misconstruct the fundamental principles of the Black Lives Matter movement — and in certain circumstances, intentionally repurpose them to amplify divisiveness."
Starbucks directed employees can show support by ordering a "Keep It Brewing" t-shirt from the company's Black Partner Network.
A rep for Starbucks told Buzzfeed News that while the company remains committed to helping to dismantle "systematic racism," the dress code policy remains in place.
Starbucks has been here before. In 2018, the coffee giant faced boycotts after an employee called police on two black men who were waiting for a friend. In reaction to the incident, Starbucks vowed to implement anti-racial bias training.
Read some of the latest #BoycottStarbucks tweets below.
https://twitter.com/yolian_ogbu/status/1271160350717759489 https://twitter.com/the_mod_woman/status/1271176069559844865 More @
https://www.vibe.com/2020/06/starbucks-boycott-banning-workers-wearing-blm-gear
