Woman finds ‘illegal’ joke on Starbucks cup’s lid, says ‘Was I supposed to laugh or what?’
In a shocking incident, a woman in Texas, USA, found a joke about illegal immigrants written in black marker on a Starbucks cup’s lid, sparking outrage and controversy. Blanca Lopez, a Hispanic woman, was left confused and perplexed by the comment, which read, “What do you call a sick eagle? Illegal.”
Lopez, who was sipping on her coffee at a Starbucks outlet in Texas, noticed the joke on the lid of her cup and was taken aback. She couldn’t help but wonder if she was supposed to laugh at the comment, which many would find offensive and insensitive. “When I read it, I’m like, ‘Was I supposed to laugh or what?’ It was just so… unusual,” Lopez said in an interview.
The joke, which appears to be a play on words, uses the term “illegal” to refer to a sick eagle, rather than an undocumented immigrant. However, the context and timing of the joke have been widely criticized, with many arguing that it is inappropriate and offensive.
Lopez’s discovery of the joke has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many people expressing outrage and disgust at the comment. “This is unacceptable,” wrote one Twitter user. “Who thinks this is funny? It’s not funny, it’s hurtful and offensive.”
Another Twitter user wrote, “Starbucks needs to take responsibility for this. This is not what their customers expect from a company that prides itself on being inclusive and welcoming.”
The incident has also raised questions about the values and beliefs of the person who wrote the joke. “It’s hard to believe that someone would think this is okay,” said Lopez. “It’s not okay to joke about illegal immigration, especially not in this day and age. We need to be more considerate and respectful of each other’s differences.”
Starbucks has not commented on the incident, but the company has faced criticism in the past for its handling of controversial issues. In 2018, the company faced backlash after a employee wrote ” Race Together” on a customer’s cup, sparking a national conversation about race and inequality.
This latest incident highlights the importance of being sensitive to the feelings and experiences of others, particularly in the context of a globalized and increasingly diverse society. As Lopez so aptly put it, “We need to be more considerate and respectful of each other’s differences. We can’t just assume that everyone is going to find something funny or offensive. We need to be more thoughtful and considerate in our words and actions.”
The incident also raises questions about the role of humor in our society. While humor can be a powerful tool for bringing people together and diffusing tension, it can also be used to offend and alienate others. As comedian and writer, Hasan Minhaj, once said, “Humor is a way to make people uncomfortable, to challenge them, and to make them think. But it’s also a way to make people feel safe, to make them feel like they’re part of a group.”
In conclusion, the incident of the “illegal” joke on a Starbucks cup’s lid highlights the importance of being sensitive to the feelings and experiences of others, particularly in the context of a globalized and increasingly diverse society. It also raises questions about the role of humor in our society and the need for more thoughtful and considerate communication.
