When a barista at a Philadelphia Starbucks infamously called the cops on two black men sitting there minding their own business, the incident revealed how one employeeâs racism could sully the reputation of an entire business. But just because Holly Hylton called 911 doesnât mean Starbucks is racist or in bed with theâŚ
The Philadelphia Police Department announced that it will change the way officers handle trespassing calls after a debacle in which two men were arrested in a Center City Starbucks cafĂŠ for possession of blackness with intent to exist.
On Tuesday, Starbucks closed 8,000 of its locations for anti-bias training.
Given the recent spike in awareness around implicit bias, and the dubious social media stardom for those who choose to act racistly, Starbucks on Saturday announced a new policy that allows black people anyone to sit in its stores or use its restrooms, regardless of whether they buy anything.
Remember that white girl who called the cops on those two black guys?
As a member of Omega Psi Phi, I feel like I can make this joke:
The two men who were arrested for merely existing in a Philadelphia Starbucks are finally speaking out about their ordeal and how it left them in fear for their lives as they were forced to interact with the police over a nonissue.
Updated Monday, April 16, 2018, 12:41 p.m. EDT: Well, well, well. Despite calls for the Starbucks manager to be fired after calling the police on two black men simply for standing there, it looks as if the still-unidentified employee will be able to part ways with the company in what a Starbucks spokesperson referredâŚ
When two black men were arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks on Thursday for simply sitting there, being black and minding their business, people in the store who witnessed it were outraged, including Melissa DePinoâwhose video recording of the arrest went viral on social media.
Remember Starbucksâ âRace Togetherâ idea a few years back? The since-destroyed concept was that baristas at the high-priced coffee chain were to openly engage customers on race relations in the United States.
