Here’s my Starbucks cartoon from last week. Starbucks has been in the news as a an store in Philadelphia called police to expel two black people who were sitting in the restaurant waiting to meet a friend without buying anything. The incident was viewed as racist because white customers likely would not suffer a day in jail for the same “offense.” Starbucks is closing their stores for a day of race sensitivity training in the USA, but there is no training in stores outside of the USA where, presumably, Starbucks thinks no such training is needed.
My cartoon is nothing great, but it gave me the opportunity to draw the Starbucks logo mermaid mascot, which is a grotesque monster that would frighten away anyone who saw such a thing, and that idea makes me laugh.
Here’s an angry letter I got from a reader who was offended by my cartoon which she saw in the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper:
Dear Daryle,
The cartoon in today’s Inquirer was disgusting and inappropriate. Starbucks is going to rectify the situation of the two men that were arrested in Philadelphia. Because one person, in this case a manager, had poor judgment and was fired for her actions, should not be reflected on the company as a whole. This was an isolated case, although the company’s CEO is educating the entire company on tolerance.
Starbucks employees, runs as “partners,” having the opportunity to be something more than an employee they encourage them to grow as a person, in their career and in the community. Starbucks wants their partners to become their personal best and to be connected to something bigger.
Are you aware Starbucks encourages it’s partners an opportunity for all benefits to eligible U.S. partners, to complete a bachelor’s degree with full-tuition coverage for every year of college through Arizona State University’s top-ranked degree programs, delivered online. In addition, to show their gratitude for the partners who are military service members and veterans, they may extend this benefit to their spouse or child.
Partners also appreciate recognition programs, career sabbaticals and other time-off programs. Plus, they can take advantage of partner perks such as in-store and online discounts.
At Starbucks, they strive to create a culture that values and respects diversity and inclusion. Their goal is to build a diverse workforce and increase competency. Their welcoming work environment encourages partners to engage with one another and make Starbucks a place where they look forward to work.
All for 20 hours a week. Can you tell me of another company that offers this?
Although we are not persons of color, we have had many business meeting, social meetings and have patronized many Starbucks around the country and outside the US, and have never witnessed anything but courtesy and helpfulness.
Their employees (partners) could not be more helpful. I recommend reading “How Starbucks Saved my Life” by Michael Gates Gill. Also, see the article in the National Review “People are losing their mind over Starbucks” by Kyle Smith, April 18th. The comic in the “Opinion” section was disgraceful and if anything, racist.
Name WIthheld
New Jersey
I’ve been a big fan of Andy Singer’s self-syndicated, altie “No Exit” panel for years, and I’ve been encouraging Andy to try his hand at more traditional editorial cartooning. Andy’s panel has content that is socially conscious, like an editorial cartoon, but it is not the right shape, and it is wordy, and it doesn’t have caricatures of politicians and the panel format with a title is simply not something editorial page editors will consider putting in their daily editorial cartoon hole.
