"I wish people weren't so easily offended these days!" This is a cry that many Americans exclaim in reference to Starbucks' holiday cup design for 2015. This year, instead of the usual Christmas themed holiday cups, Starbucks unveiled their holiday cups as a plain red. Many people are so offended that Starbucks isn't celebrating Christmas in the way they have in years past that they're claiming Starbucks is waging a war on Christmas. Is it really?
Before, Starbucks celebrated the winter season with snowflakes and secular traditions surrounding Christmas like reindeer and Christmas trees, things that have nothing to do with the birth of Christ that the Catholic church decided would be celebrated on December 25th.
It is imperative to examine whether Starbucks actually celebrated Christianity at all in the past, and that answer is two fold. On one hand, they didn't because their cup designs had nothing to do with the religiosity of the holiday. On the other hand, they did and still do sell Christmas coffee blends and gift cards that say, "Merry Christmas," on them.
Americans being up in arms about the cup design is a classic example of ethnocentrism. While it is Christmas time, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are also celebrated in December. On top of years past not even acknowledging these cultures, the cups imposed a religious holiday on them. All the while, these minority cultures never complained because being a minority in America consists of a great deal of being looked over and having other ideals and celebrations imposed on you. The simplicity of the new design takes a step forward by not ignoring Christmas, but not being exclusive. The plain red cup is a change of pace from the normal white cup and acknowledges and celebrates the holiday season.
While this issue is a trivial one, it raises important questions about American values. While we proudly call ourselves a melting pot of races, nationalities, cultures and religions, all too often we find Americans and American companies being upset that they need to acknowledge those who are different than they are.
When anyone of any religion wishes you happy holidays, Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah, take it as a compliment that they thought enough of you to share their holiday with you, not as an insult that they didn't think to celebrate yours. Starbucks Vice President of Design and Content, Jeffrey Fields said this about the cup:
This year we wanted to usher in the holidays with a purity of design that welcomes all of our stories.
I applaud Starbucks for taking a step away from the ethnocentric idea that all customers are Christians and leave room for everyone to feel welcome and cheerful.
