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Starbucks Employee Fired for Racist Cup Incident

9/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

An employee at a Kroger-operated Starbucks in Ohio was terminated after writing "Racist's fav drink" on Autumn Perkins's cup when she ordered Charlie Kirk's beverage.
Starbucks and Kroger condemned the action.
Perkins says she is disappointed and will no longer support Starbucks.
A Change.org petition seeks to memorialize Kirk's drink on menus, nearing 5,000 signatures.

History

Historical Context

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 marked a pivotal moment in U.S. history, prohibiting racial discrimination in public accommodations. Despite this progress, incidents of racial bias persist, as seen in the 2018 arrest of two black men at a Philadelphia Starbucks, which sparked national outrage. Recent events, including a petition related to racial accountability, underscore ongoing challenges in corporate inclusivity.

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Story summary

An employee at a Kroger-operated Starbucks in Ohio was terminated after writing "Racist's fav drink" on Autumn Perkins's cup when she ordered Charlie Kirk's beverage.
Starbucks and Kroger condemned the action.
Perkins says she is disappointed and will no longer support Starbucks.
A Change.org petition seeks to memorialize Kirk's drink on menus, nearing 5,000 signatures.

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