Starbucks accused of 'promoting Islam' with new cups
Starbucks revealed its new green cup ahead of Election Day in an attempt to unify the country
Storm in a coffee cup: Starbucks has suffered a backlash after unveiling green 'unity' cups ahead of the election. PHOTO: STARBUCKS TWITTER
Starbucks revealed its new green cup on Tuesday ahead of Election Day in an attempt to unify the country, but the colour of the cup has led some to believe that the global coffee chain is promoting Islam.
US warns of ‘Starbucks attack risk’ in south Turkey
Starbucks claims that the only message behind the cup is that of unity. “Friends, baristas, and customers drawn in one continuous line —reminding us we're all connected,” a tweet from the official account of Starbucks reads.
Muslim flight attendant sues US airline for firing her for refusing to serve alcohol
Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz said, “The green cup and the design represent the connections Starbucks has as a community with its partners (employees) and customers. During a divisive time in our country, Starbucks wanted to create a symbol of unity as a reminder of our shared values, and the need to be good to each other.” He added, “The imagery was created by artist Shogo Ota in a design intended to communicate “shared humanity and connection.”
But many took to Twitter to criticise the new cups, suggesting that there is a hidden political message behind the new design.
William Hicks wrote on Heat Street, “The giant coffee chain is calling this year’s monstrosity the “unity” cup... Hmm, what else is unified…. ISIS!!?! The unified caliphate of the Islamic State!”
Here's how some reacted to the new cups:
Others pointed out the absurdity of the claim.
This is not the first time Starbucks has found itself at the centre of a political storm over the colour of its cups.
Halal supermarket in France ordered to sell pork, alcohol or face closure
Last year, Christian evangelicals in America claimed the Seattle-based chain had declared “war on Christmas” by using a simple shade of red on its festive packaging. Joshua Feuerstein’s widely shared Facebook post about the issue has been viewed 16 million times since it was posted last November. “Starbucks isn’t allowed to say Merry Christmas to customers,” Feuerstein wrote. “Do you realise that Starbucks wanted to take Christ and Christmas off of their brand new cups? That’s why they’re just plain red.”
This article originally appeared on Huffington Post.
US warns of ‘Starbucks attack risk’ in south Turkey
Starbucks claims that the only message behind the cup is that of unity. “Friends, baristas, and customers drawn in one continuous line —reminding us we're all connected,” a tweet from the official account of Starbucks reads.
Muslim flight attendant sues US airline for firing her for refusing to serve alcohol
Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz said, “The green cup and the design represent the connections Starbucks has as a community with its partners (employees) and customers. During a divisive time in our country, Starbucks wanted to create a symbol of unity as a reminder of our shared values, and the need to be good to each other.” He added, “The imagery was created by artist Shogo Ota in a design intended to communicate “shared humanity and connection.”
But many took to Twitter to criticise the new cups, suggesting that there is a hidden political message behind the new design.
William Hicks wrote on Heat Street, “The giant coffee chain is calling this year’s monstrosity the “unity” cup... Hmm, what else is unified…. ISIS!!?! The unified caliphate of the Islamic State!”
Here's how some reacted to the new cups:
Others pointed out the absurdity of the claim.
This is not the first time Starbucks has found itself at the centre of a political storm over the colour of its cups.
Halal supermarket in France ordered to sell pork, alcohol or face closure
Last year, Christian evangelicals in America claimed the Seattle-based chain had declared “war on Christmas” by using a simple shade of red on its festive packaging. Joshua Feuerstein’s widely shared Facebook post about the issue has been viewed 16 million times since it was posted last November. “Starbucks isn’t allowed to say Merry Christmas to customers,” Feuerstein wrote. “Do you realise that Starbucks wanted to take Christ and Christmas off of their brand new cups? That’s why they’re just plain red.”
This article originally appeared on Huffington Post.