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Starbucks Denied This Black Guy The Bathroom Code But White People Were Using It & He’s Got It On Tape

By Malaika Aman
April 17, 2018
2 minutes read

It seems racism is rampant all around the world.

Even though many think we are making strides in eliminating racism once and for all, that might not be true, and stories like the following bring much-needed attention to this matter. Now, you would think Starbucks is a ‘progressive’ company…

But how truly progressive can they be if they are not letting a black guy use the bathroom? While I know that apparently ‘nobody’ is allowed to use the bathroom before they order, why is it that a white guy was allowed to use it before he ordered?

I am not dramatizing this either, following is the social media post.

Here we go again.

Meet Brandon Ward. He was @Starbucks – about to make a purchase – and needed to use the restroom.

They denied him the code.

He then finds a white man, Weston, who came out of the restroom.

He had not made a purchase but they gave HIM the code.

RACISM. pic.twitter.com/2UGZ20aOtF

— Shaun King (@shaunking) April 16, 2018

It’s genuinely abhorrent to see how the apparent ‘manager’ is treating the guy. I mean, it’s like they are approaching a wild animal rather than listening to his complaint. Why was he treated differently than the white guy?

Understandably, people were quite angry at Starbucks.

This is what African-Americans have to deal with on a daily basis racism across this country is deep and sometimes we feel like we’re still in the 1950s and 60s in this country.

— Don Salmon (@dijoni) April 16, 2018

How hard is it to treat everyone equally?

https://twitter.com/Montstradamus/status/985905477275013120

Many people hated the way the ‘manager’ dealt with the issue.

@starbucks what is wrong with this "manager's" customer service skills? She made no attempt to listen or to reduce customer's stress. She automatically went to call police. Repeating suggestion: maybe we need to know how often Starbucks outlets call police on POC @freespeechtv

— Mary Wollstonecraft (@nayasala) April 16, 2018

Perhaps she was making it all up?

https://twitter.com/thisisjacquie/status/985906771339481088

I honestly believed that too, but I was sadly wrong.

@starbucks You have a problem. Starbucks' reputation as an inclusive meeting place is eroding. I am getting uncomfortable. I go to Starbucks because I thought it was a progressive company, now I am not so sure @freespeechtv

— Mary Wollstonecraft (@nayasala) April 16, 2018

Not just in America, It’s all around the world.

This is EVERYWHERE America – not just Starbucks.

— Toby Shorter (@j3dad) April 16, 2018

But what are we supposed to do then? Act like nothing wrong is happening?

THANK YOU! I just said that 2 somebody. IT"S GLOBAL SYSTEMIC RACISM! It's everywhere, it's just some corporations, some people get caught and some don't. If we were 2 boycott all things racist in this nation, we would have to walk in the desert naked, because it's all tainted.

— ABeautifulMind❤❤ (@Heartvoicesong1) April 16, 2018

Which saddens me all the more.

https://twitter.com/BooksnMelanin/status/985905738575949829

Will we ever be able to change our behavior?

Exactly…literally approaching other people as if they're wild animals…it's so deep

— RRM (@RRM_83) April 16, 2018

We certainly should, but don’t think that is going to help.

Just one more case of racism in Starbucks and the reason why we need to boycott Starbucks stores.

— Don Salmon (@dijoni) April 16, 2018

But there were a few comments that were racist as hell.

The solution is not hard, stop patronizing Starbucks. How many different ways and how many times white folks have to say "you and your few dollars are not welcome here" Jeez, you not welcome at Starbucks…accept it move on

— Cari Jones (@carijonsweets) April 16, 2018

The all mighty dollar, indeed!

Our color is not welcomed, yet we bleed the same and our money is green to. @Starbucks, you wont do nothing until you lose whats important to you the all mighty dollar.

— Tee. (@nycqt15) April 16, 2018