Race relations now on Starbucks menu

A new Starbucks campaign has some wondering if shots of social commentary can flavour their lattes. On Monday, the coffee chain announced a new initiative encouraging employees to have frank conversations with customers about US race relations. Called “Race Together“, the campaign has received both praise and criticism from Twitter users who question the practicality of having such discussions in such a casual context. 
 

However, according to Starbucks Chief Executive Officer Howard Schultz, the campaign aims to foster dialogue that could “create a more empathetic and inclusive society”. In a recorded statement addressed to the company’s nearly 200,000 employees, Schultz said the topic of race relations is an “emotional issue” but one that is “vitally important to the country”.
 

​Starbucks previewed the campaign this week by publishing full-page advertisements in two US newspapers. The ad below debuted Sunday in The New York Times.