Recently Starbucks has given a directive to its employees to discuss race with customers. If the Starbucks in Yokohama start talking about race with customers, I imagine the convos would go something like this:
Me: Chai Latte please.
Staff: OK…BTW, Aren’t you glad you’re in Japan now where you don’t have to worry about cops shooting you or your kids for being black?
Me: Tall size please.
Staff: OK. BTW I love black people, especially hip-hop and my brother loves basketball, and..
Me: Make that to go please…
Staff: OK. BTW, that new miss Universe. She.Is.BEAUTIFUL. I LOVE Hafus. They’re like Japanese but, I dunno, better. I want to have a hafu baby! Do you know where I can meet…
Me: You know what? Cancel my order. I’m going to 7-11…
Staff (to next customer): Did I say something wrong?
Customer: No. Black people are too sensitive about race.
Staff: Oh I see…
Staff: OK…BTW, Aren’t you glad you’re in Japan now where you don’t have to worry about cops shooting you or your kids for being black?
Me: Tall size please.
Staff: OK. BTW I love black people, especially hip-hop and my brother loves basketball, and..
Me: Make that to go please…
Staff: OK. BTW, that new miss Universe. She.Is.BEAUTIFUL. I LOVE Hafus. They’re like Japanese but, I dunno, better. I want to have a hafu baby! Do you know where I can meet…
Me: You know what? Cancel my order. I’m going to 7-11…
Staff (to next customer): Did I say something wrong?
Customer: No. Black people are too sensitive about race.
Staff: Oh I see…
Loco
PS More on Starbucks and the Race Together campaign: HERE