Starbucks is just so liberal.

As you may very well know, I lean left. Many people disagree with my idealistic views of the way the world could be. That's fine. How boring would it be if everyone agreed with me? I can appreciate a conservative view and actually a part of me might even be able to agree with you. But, I revel in my leftishness. It gives me hope, an optimistic view of the world and what the world might be able to become. I came across this article online. And, while it happened 3 years ago I got a bit, more than a bit peeved reading it.

The article discusses the decision of the Starbucks on Baylor University's campus to remove a cup because of an offensive quote. The cup was part of the 'the way i see it' quotes that Starbucks does. I personally love these quotes, they give me something to think about. The company says they want to promote discussion. And, many times they do with my friends and I. But, lets get back to the point. A member of faculty complained that this quote by Armistead Maupin

"My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it for so long.
I surrendered my youth to the people I feared when I could have been out there
loving someone. Don't make that mistake yourself. Life's too damn short."

promoted homosexuality. Alright, here's my shpeal on that.

I actually like this quote. I see it applying to more than being gay. The first time I read it, I thought of not repressing anything inside because of what others think because you'll miss out on something you love. This is probably because i'm not gay. And being not gay I guess the quote wouldn't apply to me if that was the only way to read it. Also, I'm not worried about it turning me gay because it's "promoting homosexuality". Homosexuality isn't like a commodity that you can buy or something you just decide you want to be. It's not like a career change. You get fired from one job, and decide to quite that industry and go the the next. The fear seems kind of silly.

The most aggravating part is that it was removed from a college campus. Maybe it's because I'm a liberal in college i think this is silly. I just always had this view that college was a place to express ideals and talk about things in an open atmosphere. Learning to have a healthy respect for people and their opinions and learning that the world doesn't share your same views. I know, it's a conservative Christian University, but still. I'm not sure taking away ideas is a healthy learning environment. Or maybe no one cares about that. I'm not offended when right wing people speak and discuss their ideas. Put them on a cup. Fine. I'll scoff at how silly the quote might be and drink my coffee out of it and throw it away. But, that quote will have at least given me something to think about. A little piece of someone else's mind. The cups have a disclaimer that they don't represent the view of the company. The website allows for discussion of the cups. Take it as a piece of literature. Agree with it or don't. But, don't take away my opportunity to read a persons view. To me it's just like censorship on a college campus.

The things people choose to get worked up about. Chill out. I don't thing a cup is going to spread gayness.

ok that's all. agree or don't argree. It doesn't really matter to me.


http://www.baylor.edu/Lariat/news.php?action=story&story=35546