Regarding the inequality campaign, people may not have liked the approach Starbucks took;as it was extremely direct, and could easily be judged negatively by someone holding a different opinion nearby. I think the campaign would have been more successful if Starbucks had designated one or two employees (of whom were fairly open minded, and not racist themselves) to privately interview customers at secluded tables, and offered a free item as a token of appreciation. It may have also helped if they sent e-mails to those who had a Starbucks membership, and offered them a free star along with a free item. Additionally, most of us who go to Starbucks are there on our own mission- whether it be to get work done or get a caffeine fix, not to be questioned and evaluated on our own personal opinions.
I personally think that it’s important to discuss and try to get rid of racial inequality, but I think it’s important to have the right kind of atmosphere when doing so. If we don’t discuss it, less people are likely to get involved and the issue will continue, and those experiencing it will continue to be hurt and experience “a double-conscience”. However, if discussed in the wrong kind of environment with strongly outspoken racist people, others who support equality may suppress their opinions and veer away from the action it will take to get rid of racism. It is also important for people to take the right kind of action if they have decided to act out or protest against a prejudice situation. Ideally, and hopefully eventually, the world will view others from a blind man’s perspective; that is to say to judge based on the heart and mind, rather than appearance and stereotypes (white,black or other).
It is not that there is an aspect of racism that should or should not be discussed, but rather how it should not be discussed. If people are not completely open on the issue, things won’t change and the racial bitterness will continue. However, if the people in the discussion are not capable of being empathetic toward others in the group, they should probably stay away from discussing things like violence and seeing black people as property rather than breathing, feeling human beings just as they are. A good example of this, is the character Marie LaLaurie from the tv show American Horror Story; a racist white woman from the past, cursed with eternal life by outspoken black rival Marie Laveau. After having heartlessly slaying many blacks due to feelings of white superiority, Marie LaLaurie is forced to watch her daughters die right in front of her and hang (lynched) from her own home. She is then later forced by another black character, Queenie, to watch black movements on a tv set in order to show her the other side of the story, as well as serve as her personal slave for a time.As a result, LaLaurie begins to show a bit of empathy for a little while, but soon returns to her old ways- even murdering another black man, despite Queenies efforts. Queenie’s character also deals with prejudice, and at one point runs off with Marie Laveau to feel more accepted and at peace with herself.
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