If you’ve been to Starbucks since the beginning of November, you may have noticed the new red Starbucks cup. While I thought it was sleek, classy and neutral, others are offended by the simplicity of the holiday cup.
Many customers have become outraged by Starbucks’ neutrality, saying that the cups should at least have snowmen or reindeer on the cup to commemorate the holiday season.
According to CNN Money, Starbucks Vice President Jeffrey Fields revealed that the company, “wanted to usher in the holidays with a purity of design that welcomes all of our stories.”
Joshua Feuerstein, an American evangelist and social media personality, recently posted a video on Facebook where he shared his opinion on the new Starbucks cup rather openly. Feuerstein stated in the caption of the video that “Starbucks removed Christmas from their cups because they hate Jesus.” When picking up his coffee at Starbucks one day, as per usual, the cashier asked for his name, in which Feuerstein responded “Merry Christmas.” Feuerstein challenges other Christians and “good people of America” to post a selfie and hashtag #MerryChristmasStarbucks on social media to raise awareness.
Contrary to Feuerstein’s belief that Starbucks refuses to celebrate Christmas, Starbucks’ website showcases several Christmas items such as advent calendars, ornaments and “Christmas blend” coffee. Starbucks even sells a Merry Christmas gift card.
Another movement has erupted—the #itsjustacup movement. The picture above was posted on Instagram by @1924us, with a caption stating “If you hate @starbucks because of their cups, unfollow me. If cups define your holiday, unfollow me. I don’t know Jesus, but somethin’ tells me he wouldn’t give two sh*ts about this.”
So, what do we make of the red cup? Absolutely nothing. This neutral cup truly does welcome everyone’s beliefs. If you really think about it, it’s a cup that you use for thirty minutes to enjoy your daily pick-me up, and then you throw it away. There are larger problems we are facing in our global society—let’s not fuss over a cup.