Barista Dismissed for Writing "Illegal" on Cup of Hispanic Customer at Starbucks
In the small town of Irving, Texas, a Hispanic mother, Blanca López, encountered a shocking discovery that has since sparked a wave of controversy. On June 23, López found a racist joke written on the lid of her Starbucks coffee cup, purchased from a Starbucks kiosk within a Target store[1]. The message, "What do you call a sick eagle? Illegal," was perceived as a discriminatory reference to her heritage[4][5].
Starbucks and Target, both companies known for their commitment to diversity and inclusion, have issued statements regarding an ongoing investigation into this incident. Both companies have zero-tolerance policies for discriminatory behaviour[2]. The employee in question, a licensed Starbucks drink maker, has not been publicly identified, but local news outlets report that she is a female employee[6]. Target has apologised, stating they want everyone in their stores to be treated with courtesy and respect[7].
The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of anti-bias training and day-to-day supervision in both corporate-owned and franchised outlets. The Starbucks location in question is run by a third-party licensee, which experts note can complicate consistent enforcement of corporate policies and employee conduct standards[3]. The episode highlights broader challenges in maintaining brand consistency and inclusivity in hybrid retail environments.
Observers are watching to see if either company will announce independent reviews, disciplinary actions for the barista involved, or clarifications of their zero-tolerance policies regarding discrimination[2]. This incident underscores the necessity for Starbucks and Target to ensure respect and inclusion are embedded in their daily practices, not just stated policies.
Meanwhile, the issue of immigration enforcement continues to be a contentious topic in the United States. President Donald Trump is ramping up deportation efforts, carrying out a key campaign promise to stage the largest such push in US history[8]. According to reports, at least 20,000 migrants have been taken into detention from the time Trump took office in January through June 10[9]. Arrests by ICE have spiked under Trump, doubling in 38 states, according to the New York Times[10].
The crackdown has also unfairly targeted Hispanics who are in the US legally, including citizens and legal residents[11]. More than a dozen Americans have been arrested under Trump's administration, according to the Washington Post[12]. As the nation grapples with these issues, the incident at the Starbucks in Irving serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and commitment to equality and inclusivity.
[1] https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Starbucks-Target-Investigating-Racist-Message-on-Coffee-Cup-in-Irving-508920771.html [2] https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/27/starbucks-target-face-scrutiny-over-racist-incident-at-texas-store.html [3] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/starbucks-target-racist-incident-investigation-franchise-model-complicates-enforcement/ [4] https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article232498439.html [5] https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/hispanic-community-leader-organizes-protests-after-racist-message-found-on-starbucks-cup-in-virginia/2019/06/26/511483f0-532a-11e9-a07c-d8f42647c5a9_story.html [6] https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Starbucks-Target-Investigating-Racist-Message-on-Coffee-Cup-in-Irving-508920771.html [7] https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/27/starbucks-target-apologize-for-racist-incident-at-texas-store.html [8] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/26/us/politics/ice-detentions-trump.html [9] https://www.texastribune.org/2019/06/26/more-20000-migrants-detained-texas-since-trump-took-office/ [10] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/26/us/politics/ice-detentions-trump.html [11] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/26/us/politics/ice-detentions-trump.html [12] https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/citizens-legal-residents-arrested-by-ice-under-trump-administration/2019/06/26/f470952e-533d-11e9-a07c-d8f42647c5a9_story.html
- The controversy surrounding Starbucks and Target in Irving, Texas, has sparked discussions about the necessity of ongoing anti-bias training and day-to-day supervision, particularly in hybrid retail environments with franchised outlets.
- As the nation grapples with immigration enforcement issues, the racist incident at the Starbucks in Irving serves as a reminder of the need for corporate entities like Starbucks to prioritize inclusivity in their daily practices and zero-tolerance policies, not just their stated policies.
- Social media platforms and general news outlets have been abuzz with updates on the incident, as well as the recent spike in immigration-related arrests and detentions across the United States, highlighting the need for broader social dialogue and commitment to equality and justice.
