It’s only a few days into November and already Starbucks has started serving up lattés in its signature red holiday-themed cups—this year featuring a Nutcracker design.

While the Nutcracker might normally be seen as a symbol of holiday spirit, some folks are saying the Nutcracker featured on the Starbucks’ holiday cups looks curiously like the Guy Fawkes masks that have appeared at many of the Occupy Wall Street movements. 

Fawkes—a 17th century English conspirator whose death is celebrated in England on Nov. 5 to commemorate his failed plot to blow up the English parliament in 1605—has become a symbol of resistance in many political protests, including the Occupy demonstrations.  Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has expressed disapproval with political and social instability of America, CNBC reports:

"We've lost something,” Schultz said. “We've either lost our conscience, or lost our soul... People want human connection... I thought there would be social unrest in America. I mean violence."

Schultz recently launched “Create Jobs for USA” out of concern for the government gridlock and unemployment crisis.  The program is designed to raise funds for small businesses, and will do so by selling red, white, and blue bracelets for $5 each at Starbucks stores across the country.

Despite Schultz’s dissatisfaction with Washington, it is questionable that the Starbucks Nutcracker was truly intended to resemble the Fawkes masks—much less support the Occupy movement.

As Starbucks customers line up to receive their festive drinks this holiday season, it will be interesting to see who will notice Guy Fawkes on the side of their coffee cup, and who will just see a holiday-spirited Starbucks Nutcracker.

 

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