Dear Howard Schultz,
I know what you're thinking, 'Here's yet another letter by an upset Starbucks customer going on a rant about the new blank red cup.' Well, you're right -- this is about a silly red cup -- and I'm not upset; truthfully, I'm kind of pissed.
For starters, as I was scrolling through the Starbucks Newsroom, there was a quote on there written by your Vice President of Design & Content, Jeffrey Fields. “In the past, we have told stories with our holiday cups designs,” Fields said. “This year we wanted to usher in the holidays with a purity of design that welcomes all of our stories.”
What makes me the most angry is that your cups have only told one type of story, and it's not the story that everyone in this world lives. I, for one, certainly do not live that story, nor will I ever live the story that your red cups claim to tell.
Truthfully, your company has never been inclusive of all backgrounds and beliefs, and this is a testament that you should probably start doing so. I'm sure you've seen the Hanukkah Starbucks Cup that the Jewish Federation of San Diego has come up with for a good cause, and as a fellow Jewish person of faith, I would think that you would have done something like this a long time ago.
Why is there always the same red cup with Christmas designs on it? Why has there never been a cup with a menorah on it? Why has there never simply been a blue cup? Why shouldn't customers have the option of a Hanukkah cup or a Christmas cup, because if we're being honest, the color red and Christmas ornaments don't exactly scream "all-inclusive." Your company prides itself on welcoming all of your stories, but your so-called stories should include something for everyone. You might as well just hand out a plain white cup during the holidays. That would honestly be your best option.
I think I speak for a majority of Jewish people when I say that it wouldn't hurt your company to speak to the Jewish population of America and put a menorah or two, some dreidels, and maybe even some gelt on a blue cup. That's all we're asking for.
What I don't understand is why you, of all people, aren't the one to step up and say hey, "I'm Jewish; how about we make a cup that accommodates the Jewish population of America?" I know the idea has come across your mind more than a few times, so why not make it happen? Why not reach out to a community you're a part of?
You are the CEO of one of the biggest companies in the world, so why not put the people first, and give them something you know they'll want. People will not be disappointed -- they'll just be equal.
Sincerely,
A girl who just wants to celebrate the challahdays like everyone else.
