Actress Thandie Newton slammed coffee giant Starbucks this week over a figurine she saw in one of their stores.
The figure, which Newtown posted on Twitter, is of a black figure in a loin cloth and safari hat holding coffee beans.
“Seriously @Starbucks? At the counter – Loin cloth and Safari hat on a black child. Happy New Year circa 19th century,” the actress wrote on Twitter.
Seriously @Starbucks? At the counter – Loin cloth and Safari hat on a black child. Happy New Year circa 19th century pic.twitter.com/kD3qgKmti1
— Thandie Newton (@thandienewton) January 4, 2016
Starbucks’ customer service account was quick to apologize. The company says the statue has been removed.
“We are very concerned to learn of this incident & we can’t apologise enough. We have removed the figure & are investigating,” the company tweeted to Newton.
@thandienewton we are very concerned to learn of this incident & we can’t apologise enough. We have removed the figure & are investigating.
— Starbucks Help (@starbuckshelp) January 5, 2016
Reaction to Newton has been mixed.
@thandienewton @khanyisile @Starbucks Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised. Robbing Ethiopian farmers to sell coffee at 1500% profit.
— perfect hlongwane (@perfecthow) January 6, 2016
@thandienewton @Starbucks You know when you reach that point in your career that you will do ANYTHING for press and attention…#ThisIsIt
— Chris (@MrChrisC84) January 6, 2016
What do you think?