On Jan. 13, Starbucks reversed its open door policy, which allowed people to stay in the shop without making a purchase. This decision is one of many in recent times that demonstrates how companies can comfortably and openly detest the homeless.
In 2018, Starbucks announced the open door policy after an incident involving two Black men who were arrested for sitting in a Starbucks without having made a purchase. This caused an outcry on the internet and led to multiple protests against Starbucks. At the time, Starbucks CEO Jonathan Gardner pledged that the company would “[do] whatever we can to make things right” and “let [customers] know of our plans to investigate the pertinent facts and make any necessary changes to our practices that would help prevent such an occurrence from ever happening again.”
It is clear that Starbucks never wanted to have an open door policy but was compelled to by public outcry. Seven years later, the brand feels safe enough to reverse this decision with the weak excuse that “ setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces” will “create a better environment for everyone.”
Their decision will mostly impact the homeless. Starbucks is one of the largest chains in America with over 1,700 locations. This makes it an easily recognizable and previously accessible spot for the homeless looking for shelter and bathrooms. Starbucks’s claim that the change is to create a better environment insinuates that the homeless and unpaying are a nuisance.
The homeless are the most vulnerable in our society, and empathy is needed for those going through the hardest times. Companies like Starbucks choose to make life worse for the impoverished because they feel they will not face negative consequences from the public. It is important to show class solidarity and remember the chances of being homeless are far greater than the chance of having the wealth of a multi-billion dollar company.
People need to — once again — protest Starbucks and push them to change this policy. Until then, it is time for customers to buy their coffee elsewhere.
