The following tweets are all focused on the controversy surrounding Starbucks in the past week. While waiting for a friend to join them, two black men were arrested in a suburban Philadelphia store because the manager accused them of loitering. The main controversy at hand was whether the race of the men was what caused police intervention and eventual arrest. Regardless, the news coverage has remained informative about the issues but many people have differing opinions on the cause of the event.
Some tweets are informative, both about the aftermath of the event and the ramifications the corporation will receive:
#BREAKING: #Starbucks will close more than 8,000 US stores on afternoon of May 29 to conduct racial-bias education for employees.
— FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) April 17, 2018
Two black men arrested in #Starbucks to meet with CEO https://t.co/2SumvIvGW5 via @nbcnews
— AM Joy w/Joy Reid (@amjoyshow) April 17, 2018
The following tweets are in support of the innocent men and call on Starbucks (and other corporations) to make changes to what some consider racist policy. These tweets acknowledge the fact that racism is at the center of the issue and the arrest was unfair.
“Plenty of people were hanging out in Starbucks without buying something. There was nothing about their appearance or behavior that posed a threat. The only possible explanation is their race.” – Michelle Saahene, Witness. #Starbucks https://t.co/XJzPeobrOa
— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) April 15, 2018
Every business in America should do this on the same day. Because this is no just a #Starbucks problem. https://t.co/OFPsieBXue
— Victoria Brownworth (@VABVOX) April 17, 2018
Finally, the remaining tweets are from people who believe that the ordeal has been blown out of proportion. They believe that the arrest had nothing to do with the race of the men, rather that it was a deserved arrest for loitering.
Do you know how many times I have needed to pee in New York City and I didn’t have cash, Just my card? I was refused entry to the bathroom because the bathroom was only for paying customers & the cafe was cash only. That’s normal.
You don’t see me crying racism… #Starbucks
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) April 17, 2018
After looking into the #Starbucks matter, I don’t see what the big deal is. 🤷🏽♂️
They were asked to buy something or leave.
They refused.
Cops asked them to leave THREE times.
They refused.
Now it’s trespassing = arrest.
— Lonzo Garoppolo (@abel1408) April 16, 2018
Nice post! Interested in seeing if anything changes after May 29.
This was really interesting. I think you did a good editorial work by choosing different points of view of the same situation. Good job!
I think you did a great job on this post of showing all sides of the argument. This incident has been reported on by many top news stations and was not able to be as unbiased as you were. I like that you also drew attention to an issue that our society needs to continue to address. Interested to see if Starbucks continues to try to make this wrong right!