June 1
...serving up your daily dish.
Oh my. If Starbucks is evil, what does that make the Barista?
Williamette (Ore.) Week -- a West Coast version of the Village Voice -- serves up a grande-size cover story on the subject this week.
Many view Starbucks as the ultimate corporate colonialist, and foes have leveled some substantial charges at the chain. To wit, they claim that Starbucks (1) preys on independent coffeehouses, (2) buys coffee at slave wages from farmers, (3) mistreats its employees, (4) ruins local economies and (5) perpetuates the homogenization of the universe through its virus-like expansion.
The answer, the Week says, is not too evil.
Apparently the only thing more American than becoming fabulously wealthy is hating those who do. If you'd bought Starbucks when it went public 12 years ago, you'd have received a 3,000 percent return on investment. The Barista hopes she'll be as hated rich in 2016.
June 1, 2004 in We All Bow to Java | Permalink
Remember - "Williamette" rhymes with dammit! My mother was an Oregonian and she drilled that one into me at an early age.
Otherwise - please pay no attention to the great freebie newpapers of the Northwest. If more than three people like something then they hate it. If more than five people like something then they hate it and put it on front page.
Posted by: pops | Jun 1, 2004 6:31:53 PM
Personally, I think Starbucks is happiness in a cup. As for mistreating their workers, they DO NOT mistreat their workers. They are one of the best coroporations to work for in the country. And who can help if they shut down small business? Since Starbucks is happiness in a cup, and is BETTER than many small businesses, why shouldn't it recieve business? You know every single one you go to will have the SAME quality drink, and that is just too wonderful to describe. Now about the whole buying at slave labor, please find that information for me. I have searched the internet for credible sources, and/or Starbucks posting of what they paid. Just because all their coffee doesn't have a "Fair Trade" sticker doesn't mean they don't pay fair prices. I think you'd better re-consider bashing one of the world's most wonderful establishments
Posted by: James | Jan 14, 2006 3:54:22 PM
