Not the first time Starbucks has stoked controversy with their cup.
By Raif Karerat
With the advent of November, Starbucks released its annual red cup, a container that represents the beginning of the holiday season for its legions of coffee-drinking patrons.
However, in an unprecedented move, Starbucks has removed the gaudy Christmas-themed decorations and quotes that usually adorn their cups, instead opting for a minimalist design that features a subtle red gradient and the Starbucks logo.
Not everyone is happy with the change, and scores of social media users have taken to the internet to vent their frustration with Starbucks alleged “War on Christmas,” with some going so far as to say the secular establishment hates Jesus and Christianity.
“I think in the age of political correctness we become so open-minded our brains have literally fallen out of our head,” Joshua Feuerstein said in a widely viewed anti-Starbucks rant on Facebook titled “Starbucks REMOVED CHRISTMAS from their cups because they hate Jesus.” “Do you realize that Starbucks wanted to take Christ and Christmas off of their brand new cups? That’s why they’re just plain red.”
This isn’t the first time Starbucks has been attacked for its cup designs. In 2005, the company launched its “The Way I See It” campaign, printing quotes from notable figures on its cups. Some dealt with gay rights and religion, drawing anger from Christian groups, according.
Last March, Starbucks was forced to yank its controversial #RaceTogether campaign, which was intended to get people to talk about race, only days after launching it.
ironically, Ken Nisch, chairman of the branding and retail design company JGA, told Fox News that this year’s cup was carefully designed not to alienate or offend anyone.
“It’s not exactly Christmas,” he said, noting that the red cup conveniently matches nicely with the green logo. “It plays to people in the middle, because it’s something they would have all year around.”
1 Comment
As an Evangelical Christian, I can say without a doubt that Joshua Feuerstein does not speak for me. I don’t go to Starbucks to worship my God and I don’t need Starbucks or any company to endorse Him or my religion. Furthermore, all this talk of a war on Christmas is funny considering how Christmas has been corrupted since it’s inception. Whether it is the pagan roots of Santa Claus or the commercialization that’s become so invasive, Christmas lost it’s meaning long, long ago.