Ben & Jerry’s Vs Systemic Racism

I am not sure if many of you are aware about how amazingly courageous and awesome Ben & Jerry’s founders Ben Cohen (L) and Jerry Greenfield (R) but they are honestly , in my humble opinion, legendary and are what most CEOs of major corporations and multi-million dollar enterprises should emulate. Let me first give you an introduction about Ben & Jerry. Probably , you have heard about their ice cream and maybe even frequent their ice cream chains in your own town but they are more than just your average ice cream manufacturing and retail chain corporation. Founded in 1978 Burlington, Vermont, and was later sold to the British-Dutch conglomerate Unilever in 2002, Ben & Jerry has developed a proactive approach to addressing the concerns of persons with food sensitivities.

They place a high scrutiny on all of their ingredients to ensure that every component going into their ice creams including natural flavors, food coloring, and spices that might be of a health concern for customers either for medical or dietary restrictions, are labelled conscientiously. Moreover, 45% of its cost of goods sold (COGS) goes toward investing and enabling small-scale suppliers via its “Caring Dairy program” and even ensuring that their lowest paid workers make 46% beyond the living wage. Тhеу are active in their fight against global wаrmіng and are a supporter of the Fair Trade Upgrade that promotes and upholds fair prices to harvesters.

Alright, so we have established that they are a socially responsible corporation, what now? Many corporations are socially responsible too, it is 2020 for the love of God! Well, just hear me out. What sets this corporation apart from the rest, I believe are their founders.

I have never be so in awe of how tenacious and driven these founders are especially in the recent #blacklivematters movement and their perseverance to not only bring awareness about inequality and racial prejudices but also to educate through their various platforms where these unfortunate ideas, racial bias and discrimination originate from. They are not only just advocating but they are also educating.

These protests didn't come out of nowhere: They’re the result of hundreds of years of oppression of Black Americans, from slavery to Jim Crow to redlining to mass incarceration. We must understand our past to create a more just future. Learn more: https://t.co/HCIUZFVBDK pic.twitter.com/ScsXw7bbLR
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) June 10, 2020

They have unveiled the “Justice Remix’d” which is the flavor and action campaign which they dedicated to criminal justice reform(s). They are working with the Advancement Project National Office in supporting reforms that invest in people instead of prisons which if you ask me is the way forward to establish a “civilised” society and nation. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this flavor goes into this campaign. Justice Remix’d is a cinnamon & chocolate ice cream with cinnamon bun dough & spicy fudge brownies that aims not only to tickle your taste buds but also to bring awareness to police brutality and the possible eradication of an unjust and retributive policing system that have riddled the country with overcrowded jails.

Justice For All – Justice Remix’d

Besides, coming up with this new flavor and establishing this campaign, the founders have been undeniably vocal about their stance against discriminations and their goal of an equal and fair platform for all. They held speeches to masses and have physically protested which even have let them to be arrested in 2016 during a demonstration against the influence of money on politics. With the company’s estimated net worth of around $300 million ( 2020-2021) , I find them truly remarkable as they chose to use their financial capabilities , influence and corporation in hopes of building a holistically equal and fair world for all. I am lactose intolerant but for Ben & Jerry’s, it would be pleasure!

To achieve justice, we don’t need just thoughts and prayers — we need education and action. The below thread offers some ways to learn about our country’s history, its impact on the present, and the underlying conditions that led to the murder of George Floyd.
– Ben & Jerry’s Twitter Page Advocating and Educating

Sources :

https://www.forbes.com/sites/annefield/2012/10/22/ben-jerrys-poster-child-for-the-b-corp-movement-becomes-a-b-corp/#648cae8c52cc