Starbucks' national conversation about race is already over

Starbucks has ended its star-crossed national conversation on race

(Image credit: Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

published 23 March 2015

National conversations about race never go very well, or very far, though many people agree the U.S. needs to have one. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz was the latest to attempt sparking a dialogue, by encouraging baristas to write "Race Together" on their customers' cups. That attempt ended Sunday.

"While there has been criticism of the initiative — and I know this hasn't been easy for any of you — let me assure you that we didn't expect universal praise," Schultz said in a letter to employees. Writing on cups, "which was always just the catalyst for a much broader and longer-term conversation — will be completed as originally planned today, March 22."

The March 22 end date "had not previously been mentioned publicly," notes The New York Times, perhaps with a hint of mirth, "but a company spokeswoman, Laurel Harper, said employees had been told about it." And, she said, Starbucks isn't giving up the fight, just shifting tactics. The cup-based initiative had been widely mocked on social media — is anything not widely mocked on Twitter? — but NPR's Alexandra Starr found some customers who at least appreciated the gesture. Listen to her report below. —Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.

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