T.I.’s Misguided Boycott Against Starbucks, as Nestle’s Corruption in Flint Ignored…
I’ve always found T.I. to be a very interesting, outspoken and even complex young man. I have been very proud of his philanthropic commitment to community and the less fortunate in need, and his very vocal voice against injustices. However, the myth that he was responsible for Atlanta’s very popular Houston’s restaurant to close its doors last month after more than 20 years because of his boycott was laughable. Houston’s on Lenox Road in Atlanta was a popular mainstay for many and most of its customers were not part of the hip hop genre nor would care about the protests being pushed by T.I. at the time. The truth is that Houston’s did not own that property and the company they had been leasing from were not renewing their lease because they are building a Ritz Carlton Hotel in its place.
So fast forward to his recent declaration to protest Starbucks because of the actions of one person is really misguided and unfortunate. Starbucks has always been ahead of the curve in its support for equality.
However, it seems that they’re damned if they do and then they’re damned if they don’t. In 2015 after mass protests across the globe about police brutality and murders, Starbucks launched an attempt to support it via “Let’s Talk About Race Together”…unfortunately for their CEO, he was quickly met with venom and attacks for doing so.
Tuition for ASU’s online program is about $15,000 per year. The university offers 49 online bachelor’s degree programs, in subjects ranging from business administration to art history. Over the next 10 years, Starbucks plans to spend at least $250 million to help 25,000 employees graduate. Apr 6, 2015
Starbucks to give workers a full ride for college — CNN Money
money.cnn.com/2015/04/06/pf/college/starbucks-college-tuition-arizona…/index.html
I appreciate the voices of people like T.I., when those voices are informed and not being pushed by popular opinions, egos and political agendas. Starbucks should not be boycotted because of one managers racism. Yet Nestle’s recent purchase of water in Flint for $200 has gone unnoticed by liberal and mainstream media because it does not fit their corporate agendas.
Flint Residents Struggle For Affordable, Clean Water, While Nestle Pumps Gallons of It Nearby
Nestle pays only $200 a year.
Last week, the state of Michigan approved a permit that would allow Nestle to significantly increase the volume of fresh water it currently pumps with no extra cost.
Four days later and 100 miles away, residents of Flint, Michigan were told they would no longer be receiving free bottled water from the government. So as we allow the media to manipulate our pain and distract us from real issues, the people of Flint will no longer have free bottled water as Nestle is given water for free.
“We the citizens of Flint are unable to get water, but you can give Nestle water for free and force us to buy that back at a premium,” said Flint resident, Anthony Paciorek.
It amazes me how democrats were so in love with Flint during the Presidential elections and promised to ensure they would not be forgotten but are silent now as they continue to suffer. The only topics we can guarantee that will be discussed by democrats and liberal media, are Trump’s sex life, his supposed Russian ties and their newfound love for the FBI. All of these planned distractions have ensured that nothing is being done to support the issues that really matter.
T.I. and any black celebrity with a voice, should not be focusing on a boycott of Starbucks but an all out assault on Nestle and the Governor of Michigan and the protesting of the Philadelphia police who chose to arrest these two men rather than resolve it amicably.
Finally, people should ask T.I. how many Super Bowl Parties has he attended since Colin Kaepernick’s protests started and what plans has he already made to celebrate when it comes to Atlanta in 2019??????
From Russia With Love,
Charlie Peach
