Starbucks WILL allow Black Lives Matter clothing for employees after backlash as George Floyd unrest persists
STARBUCKS has reversed course and will allow employees to wear Black Lives Matter clothing after the company's ban on the gear led to a backlash.
The retail giant publicly voiced support for the global racial equality movement but initially told employees they could not wear any BLM-related clothing or accessories in a private company memo.
In a series of public-facing tweets, proclaimed its support for the movement and pledged to “stand in solidarity with our Black partners, customers and communities.”
But behind the scenes, the company banned its baristas and other shop employees for expressing support at work, according to a memo obtained by .
The internal bulletin explicitly addressed the employee dress code policy, prohibiting staff from wearing any Black Lives Matter attire.
Management argued that wearing any clothing or accessories highlighting could be misunderstood and potentially incite violence.
But on Friday, Starbucks changed its stance and announced employees could wear Black Lives Matter shirts or pins.
Starbucks said they're delivering 200,000 employees brand shirts that reads the movement's iconic phrase.
"This movement is a catalyst for change, and right now, it's telling us a lot of things need to be addressed so we can make space to heal," Starbucks said in a letter to employees announcing the new shirt design.
It's "critical to support the 'Black Lives Matter' movement as its founders intended and will continue to work closely with community leaders, civil rights leaders, organizations, and our partners to understand the role that Starbucks can play, and to show up in a positive way for our communities," Starbucks said.
In a video, which has since been removed, the company VP of inclusion and diversity explained before the new announcement of shirts that "agitators who misconstrue the fundamental principles" of the and could use them to "amplify divisiveness."
Pins representing “political, religious or personal issue[s]” have been included in the ban, sparking allegations of hypocrisy as the coffee chain hands out LGBTQ and marriage rights buttons to its workers.
Calvin Bensen, a 22-year-old barista from Atlanta, told BuzzFeed News the company’s response was “disappointing in ways I can’t express in words".
He added: "That statement prioritises those who feel discomfort over Black lives.
"My skin color incites violence at Starbucks. Should I not come to work?
"It is silencing and Starbucks is complicit. Now more than ever, Starbucks needs to stand with us."
A Starbucks spokesperson told the outlet that the company is dedicated to helping end "systemic racism,” but that the dress code policy would remain because it was necessary “to create a safe and welcoming” environment for customers and staff.
"We respect all of our partners’ opinions and beliefs, and encourage them to bring their whole selves to work while adhering to our dress code policy," the spokesperson said.
One manager from a store in Washington said that he felt "muted" by not being able to visibly show his support at work.
He explained: "I work in a store where I am one of five people of color out of 30, and it would be nice to be able to show some sort of unity with them".
The company often allows workers to wear accessories supporting marriage equality and LGBTQ rights.
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Twitter user @MireyaaAzelinn suggested Starbucks change its famed mermaid logo in response to the ban.
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She posted an image of the black goddess Yemaya, a black mermaid from Santeria and claimed that the current Starbucks logo is based on Yemaya.
Starbucks claims its original logo is based on a siren from an ancient Norse woodcut.
