Friends, baristas, and customers drawn in one continuous line—reminding us we’re all connected. 💚 pic.twitter.com\/qspqJc8KWB<\/a><\/p>\n — Starbucks Coffee (@Starbucks) November 1, 2016<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Many online critics accused Starbucks of pushing a political agenda with the cup’s release. Others interpreted the cup to be the company’s annual holiday cup, which prior to last year historically included Christmas imagery in its design. For the cup’s opponents, it is either too political, not Christian enough, or both.<\/p>\n Starbucks has not said whether this cup is intended to be its annual holiday cup.<\/p>\n The faces on this cup are made with a single line. In it, there’s you, your neighbors, your community, a coffee farmer, your uncle. pic.twitter.com\/5cCol4Y7wj<\/a><\/p>\n — Starbucks Partners (@starbucksprtnrs) November 1, 2016<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Last year, Starbucks caused controversy with its minimalist red holiday cup<\/a> that lacked traditional Christmas imagery it previously used.<\/p>\n NBC News reports: <\/a><\/p>\n Some Twitter users <\/a>threatened to boycott the company in response to the cup, accusing Starbucks of “political brainwashing” and spreading “liberal bias” by wading into the election.<\/p>\n Others were upset that the company’s cup did not carry a stronger holiday message and accused the company of attacking Christian values.<\/p>\n In a statement on the cup’s release, Starbucks does not indicate that the new green cups are specifically for the holiday season.<\/p>\n “During a divisive time in our country, Starbucks wanted to create a symbol of unity as a reminder of our shared values, and the need to be good to each other,” said Howard Schultz, the coffee giant’s chairman and CEO.<\/p>\n The cup was designed by artist Shogo Ota who sketched hundreds of figures — from farmers to baristas — embracing in one continuous line. Ota said he hoped the design would serve as a symbol for “stitching people together as a united community.”<\/p>\n Check out some of the reactions to the cup on Twitter and in the media, below.<\/p>\n @BordognaPhilip<\/a> That’s right! They’re meant to represent the connections we have as a community and be a symbol of unity.<\/p>\n — Starbucks Coffee (@Starbucks) November 1, 2016<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Starbucks releases a cup designed to represent shared humanity… Gets this type of response… pic.twitter.com\/VzNBNL5zq6<\/a><\/p>\n — Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) November 2, 2016<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Starbucks’ new ‘unity’ cup draws fire ahead of election pic.twitter.com\/wZ8ixvH6A9<\/a><\/p>\n — FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) November 2, 2016<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The post Starbucks Releases ‘Unity’ Cup Ahead of Election and Conservatives Are Outraged – WATCH<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n