Editor,
As UNM students, staff, and faculty enjoy their overpriced Starbucks coffee at Zimmerman Library, they are supporting a large multinational corporation with over 5,600 outlets worldwide. Meanwhile, local Albuquerque coffee shops - that might have been a more sensible and ethical business choice for UNM - are struggling just to survive against such giant corporate predators.
UNM patrons will uphold Starbucks' position as the poster child for the anti-globalization movement - the coffee giant is known for its lack of Fair Trade policies, anti-union labor relations, and negative environmental impact around the world. With UNM's help, this corporate giant - so fondly patronized by the young, pro-capitalist, professional class - is destined to remain a paragon of American cultural and economic imperialism.
But critically conscious consumers can fight back by not patronizing the coffee giant. We can all take the time to walk off campus and buy a cup of coffee at one of the many small independent coffee shops in the area.
So, let's celebrate the opening of yet another Starbucks by pushing back against the corporate machine.
Kevin Farkas
Daily lobo reader
