Starbucks is backtracking a day after Buzzfeed reported, “the company explicitly stated that Black Lives Matter attire was prohibited from the lists of things employees can wear due to its dress code policy.” It prompted the hashtag #BoycottStarbucks on Twitter. But Starbucks quickly changed their policy sending this letter to its “partners” today, that said in part:
These are alarming, uncertain times and people everywhere are hurting. You’ve told us you need a way to express yourself at work, asking:
Do you understand how I feel!?
Do you understand the black community is in pain?
We see you. We hear you. Black Lives Matter. That is a fact and will never change.
They went on to say:
We’re designing new t-shirts with the graphic below to demonstrate our allyship and show we stand together in unity. Until these arrive, we’ve heard you want to show your support, so just be you. Wear your BLM pin or t-shirt. We are so proud of your passionate support of our common humanity. We trust you to do what’s right while never forgetting Starbucks is a welcoming third place where all are treated with dignity and respect.