Starbucks sent a memo to store managers warning them that employees are not allowed to wear Black Lives Matter pins or clothing because it could stoke division or even incite violence.
The coffee giant notified store managers that Black Lives Matter materials are included in the “political, religious, or personal issue” topics that employees are barred from sporting during work, according to the memo that was obtained by Buzzfeed. The company’s vice president of diversity and inclusion, Zing Shaw, said promoting Black Lives Matter could cause problems.
“[Shaw] explains that there are agitators who misconstrue the fundamental principles of the Black Lives Matter movement — and in certain circumstances, intentionally repurpose them to amplify divisiveness,” the memo said, referencing a video that Shaw linked to in the email to store managers.
The memo included a portion of the company’s policy on dress code that directly referenced political attire. The company allows employees to express themselves using pins “except if it interferes with safety or threatens to harm customer relations or otherwise unreasonably interferes with Starbucks public image.”
Many employees, however, pointed out that Starbucks encourages employees to express themselves during Pride Month in June to support gay and transgender customers. They argued this would clash with the ban on expressing support for “political, religious, or personal issues” while at work.
A representative for Starbucks confirmed that the memo was sent to store managers and said the company wants to end “systemic racism” but must aim “to create a safe and welcoming” experience for customers.
“We respect all of our partners’ opinions and beliefs, and encourage them to bring their whole selves to work while adhering to our dress code policy,” the representative said.
Black Lives Matter has been demonstrating throughout the United States against racial injustice and police brutality following the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day. Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes. Some of the protests have turned into riots, including looting, arson, and vandalism. Starbucks stores have been vandalized in the protests.
