It’s just a cup
If you have a Facebook account and an Internet connection, you’ve probably heard about the red Starbucks cup “controversy.”
You’re also tired of hearing about it, but I wanted to throw my hat into the ring and share my opinions anyway.
Just in case you have no idea what I’m talking about, Starbucks released the design for their 2015 holiday cups, which are a tradition of sorts. Starbucks forewent traditional holiday symbols for a simple, classic design — a solid red cup with the green Starbucks logo.
By not singling out any one particular holiday, Starbucks vice president Jeffrey Fields told CNN that Starbucks, as a company, “wanted to usher in the holidays with a purity of design that welcomes all of our stories.”
Meanwhile, some people lost their ever-loving minds.
Joshua Feuerstein, an evangelist and self-proclaimed social media personality, claimed, “Starbucks removed Christmas from their cups because they hate Jesus.” And the removal of Christmas symbols is a “war on Christmas.”
Feuerstein began a campaign called #MerryChristmasStarbucks. In this campaign, people are challenged to say “Merry Christmas” in lieu of their name when ordering. Baristas will write the sentiment boldly in black permanent marker, adding the Christmas spirit that the cups — in Feurstein’s opinion — lack.
If you honestly believe Christmas is at stake because of a cup, you’ve got bigger problems.
I’ll never understand how including other religions and holidays — or at least not singling any one out as superior — is meant to be an attack on the majority.
I don’t know anyone — Christian or non-Christian — who is actually offended by a minimal holiday cup design. This is by no means meant to be a general attack on Christians, most of whom I know are reasonable and respectful people.
This is more-so aggravation toward the fact that some individuals can be so intolerant that any attempt to be inclusive, a mere whiff of another belief or value, can send them into a rage.
In the grand scheme of things a cup is insignificant, especially when it’s a product offered by a company you don’t have to give your business to. You can boycott or troll a company for not being Christmas-y or Jesus-y enough if you really want to, but I will also give you side-eye for it.
If you’re psyched for this time of year, by all means, adorn your living room with as many Christmas trees and nativity scenes as it will hold. Tell people “Merry Christmas” with joy and sincerity.
Just remember, not everyone thinks, feels or believes the same, and take an extra moment from your day to acknowledge and understand.
And if a cup makes you feel singled out or attacked, reevaluate your priorities.
— Whitney Howard is a Christmas and coffee lover who gets fired up when people are intolerant jerkwaffles. Contact her at whitney.howard@aggiemail.usu.edu or on Twitter @omgwhitshutup.