Photo from www.theweek.com.
By Lauren Fetter
Executive Editor
I am often perplexed by the trivial things that concern people in today’s society. There are certain situations and occurrences that should trouble you — ISIS killing thousands of people and conquering lands in the Middle East, Donald Trump running for president with his absurd agenda and the state of the world’s climate crisis — and there are things that should not — the state of a Kardashian relationship, the sexual preference of others and the appearance of a Starbucks cup.
That last one seems to be tripping people up lately, doesn’t it?
Since 1997, Starbucks has rolled out their signature red cups to signify the start of the holiday season. Featuring everything from snowflakes to reindeer, there has been a different design every year. However, this season, the company decided to take a minimalist approach and use a simple red ombre design.
Apparently that’s not good enough.
The lack of “holiday cheer” and Christmas designs on a cardboard cup housing an overpriced Peppermint Mocha has turned the world on its side. Oh the humanity!
Realizing that their usually-festive cups were bare, consumers took to social media to express their unhappiness with the coffee company using hashtags like “#BoycottStarbucks” and “#WarOnChristmas,” among others, to get their point across. Some rightwing Christian consumers are also asking Starbucks to put the “Christ back in Christmas” and redesign their cups.
Really, people? Have you listened to yourselves? If your life is completely ruined by a design change, then you need to get it together.
No, Starbucks isn’t starting a “War on Christmas.” It’s a marketing strategy. A cup design for a holiday — not some anti-Christian agenda.
I was raised in a Catholic household, doing the whole Catholic school thing from kindergarten through high school. The reason you would take offense to a plain red cup that does not defame or make fun of your beliefs is beyond me. You’re making those that follow the same faith as you look bad. Stop it.
There’s no need to turn situations around to make them affect you when they are insignificant in the grand scheme of life. Starbucks will continue to make millions of dollars despite the removal of a cute little design, so why not just enjoy the java this winter?
If you still believe in the Starbucks War on Christmas and find the cup offensive, I don’t know what to tell you. Keep sipping on your Cup o’ Joe mixed with Haterade and stay bitter. Just remember that the world doesn’t revolve around you, Mr. Scrooge.
Disclaimer: This is a blog post in which an opinion is established. We encourage our readers to reach their own conclusions based on reading several articles that support and refute an opinion. The opinions established in this article do not represent the beliefs or ideals held by the Stony Brook Independent.