This year, I’m sure you’ve been forced by your newsfeeds to notice that Starbucks has elected to use plain red cups in place of those decorated with images of Christmas cheer. Americans are expressing their distaste, including Joshua Feuerstein, who posted a Facebook video claiming Starbucks did this because they “hate Jesus.”
Although Starbucks has removed images of candy canes, snowflakes, and reindeer from the cups, they claim that their motives are different. They released a statement on their website claiming that “this year’s design is another way Starbucks is inviting customers to create their own stories with a red cup that mimics a blank canvas,” and that is the attack.
What Starbucks doesn’t realize is that people -- and by people, I primarily mean white people -- rely on them, not only for ridiculously named drinks and obnoxious selfies with said drinks, but so they know what the hell is going on and who they are. It’s no coincidence the phrase “basic” is used to describe a lot of white girls (though, this extends to a lot of chalky-colored folk) because they tend to be just that -- rudimentary-minded social drones who wouldn’t even know how to smile if they didn’t see it on Instagram (wait, those aren’t smiles -- never mind, they don’t even know how to do that, which furthers my point). Don’t you see, Starbucks? You’re not creating stories. You’re robbing people of their identities!
The simple fact is, somehow, if Starbucks, like Dunkin' Donuts, were to continue to decorate their cups with classic images of Christmas spirit, nobody would be upset because the Holiday would retain its true meaning ... right? Well, that's the thing, people. For some reason, white people, in particular, don’t seem to understand: Christmas, in the two millennia since Christ’s birth, isn’t really about the birth of a miracle baby anymore.
In fact, in typical white people fashion, the tradition itself has taken a lot from other cultures, such as ancient European cultures including Norse, Germanic, and Roman celebrations. These celebrations predate little Jesus, believe it or not, and were generally centered on the solstice, in which the days would begin to lengthen once more; and in the more moderately temperate south (where Rome is), worshipping deities and being the crazy b*stards they were. Centuries after the birth and death of Christ, the Church initiated Jesus’ birth as a holiday, beginning the usual purpose in which people associate it with.
So then, what is Christmas really about? It’s widely celebrated, even by those who have no affiliation to Christ, and it has origins in Paganism, but it’s centered on the birth of a magic baby whose teachings sparked an entire religion -- but is also now associated with pine trees and presents.
Well, that’s the beauty of our time, and what Starbucks has done with its cups -- you can decide for yourself! If you’re Christian, go ahead and celebrate your magic baby; if you’re Pagan, praise be the Gods; if, like my family, you’re agnostic/atheist, eat some delicious food and enjoy familial company; and if you’re a jackass, scream and rant about how a coffee company is trying to destroy your religion.
The truth is, in our extremely complicated and multifaceted world, you have the freedom and means to do exactly as Starbucks intended: create your own meaning and enjoy a goofy-flavored drink while you’re at it.
