article_snippet: ridiculing Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and the coffee chain have faced an avalanche of bad publicity and public derision over a well-intentioned initiative for its baristas to strike up a conversation about race relations in the U.S. with customers.
article_snippet: Others questioned how Starbucks workers could spark productive conversations about race while serving drinks. '
article_snippet: Still let's give ridiculing Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz credit for starting a conversation across the racial divide with a white billionaire pitching an idea and any number of African American customers telling ridiculing Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz how stupid it was,' said Oliver.
article_snippet: Hey how’s that conversation on race going Starbucks?
article_snippet: Hey how’s that conversation on Race going Starbucks?
article_snippet: In the face of the backlash, Starbucks announced over the weekend that baristas will no longer be encouraged to write 'Race Together' on customers' cups.
article_snippet: Starbucks will still hold forum discussions, co-produce special sections in USA TODAY and put more stores in minority communities as part of the Race Together initiative, wrote Schultz.
article_snippet: During Starbucks annual shareholders meeting in Seattle on Wednesday, Schultz said Starbucks was simply trying to use Starbucks massive reach for good. '
article_snippet: Some in the media will criticize Starbucks for having a political agenda,' Schultz said. '
article_snippet: Our've tried to be very thoughtful, very genuine, very authentic and recognize that by leveraging Our stores, potentially, we can elevate the conversation and make a positive difference.'
article_snippet: Schultz said that Schultz was not surprised by the backlash but that if Starbucks's workers can 'elevate the understanding and the empathy with one customer per day', Schultz will be satisfied.
article_snippet: A letter from Schultz to Starbucks Partners regarding Race Together: .
article_snippet: Starbucks Partners, .
article_snippet: I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to every one of Starbucks Partners for your fearless and energetic support of the Race Together initiative.
article_snippet: Our objective from the very start of this effort -- dating back to Our first open forum in Seattle last December -- was to stimulate conversation, empathy and compassion toward one another, and then to broaden that dialogue beyond just our Starbucks family to the greater American public by using Our scale for good.
highlights_snippet: Starbucks announced on Sunday that baristas will no longer be asked to write 'Race Together' on customers' cup, but denied it was due to the flack .