"Starbucks to encourage baristas to discuss race relations with customers."

"Beginning on Monday, Starbucks baristas will have the option as they serve customers to hand cups on which they�ve handwritten the words 'Race Together' and start a discussion about race."

The initiative follows several months of consultations with employees that started in December, in part as a result of protests that roiled several U.S. cities....

Cognizant of what a powder keg the issue of race is, Starbucks says its baristas will be under no obligation to engage with customers on the topic. The goal is simply to foster discussion and an exchange of ideas.