It's an oft-cited edict that you don't bring politics or religion to the dinner table – especially, one could add, when something as escapist as ice cream is involved. But then there's Ben & Jerry's.
Always with an equal mind towards creativity and social responsibility, the iconic Vermont creamers have for the month of September renamed their "Chubby Hubby" flavor
"Hubby Hubby" in honor of their home state becoming the fourth in the nation to legalize gay marriage, a law that took effect on the first of this month. The packaging features two newly wed grooms atop a wedding cake with a rainbow in the background.
Says corporate:
"Ben & Jerry’s has a long history of commitment to social justice, including gay rights. Its partnership with Freedom to Marry, a national leader in the movement for marriage equality, aims to raise awareness of the importance of marriage equality and to encourage other states to follow the blazing trails of Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Maine." Indeed, this should hardly seem unusual to Ben & Jerry's fans. This is a company that runs its farms on solar energy, once maintained a maximum 7-to-1 salary ratio of its highest- to lowest-paid employees and has rotated flavors such as "Economic Crunch,"
"Yes Pecan" and
"Stephen Colbert's Americone Dream." Yet you have appreciate the boldness of this one. A major American company is using its product to explicitly take a stand on one of the most sensitive social issues of our time, and they seem confident enough to accept whatever stir it might cause.
Let's consider. Leaving aside whatever your thoughts on gay marriage might be, should food be used to promote a social or political message? Is this any different than, say, Starbucks promoting fair-trade coffee? And will the new flavor affect, positively or negatively, your likeliness to buy Ben & Jerry's products?
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Comments (80)
Of course it will affect my opinion of Ben and Jerry's....Positively!!
I don't see any reason why a company shouldn't use it's product to promote something. I'm pretty sure that's how professional sports get by. I think it's great that Ben and Jerry's is doing this. :]
Yup.
Lol this is interesting. I never heard of a company going thumbs up on controversial issues. I think it will only bring in more revenue for them.
I say, right on, Ben and Jerry's! I think the fact that they done this, knowing it could have a negative effect with some buyers, shows that they stand firm on their beliefs, come what may. I don't even like ice cream that much, but if I came across this product the next time I done my grocery shopping, I would buy to show my support.
Rock it, B&J's!
"should food be used to promote a social or political message?" I don't see why not. That's 1/2 of why I'm a vegetarian. Ex: As far as animal rights, i really wouldn't feel bad about eating shrimp, nor can I exclude it for health reasons b/c it's a very healthy food. But b/c of bottom trowling (sp?) I refuse to buy and/or eat shrimp.
I respect B&J for making a bold decision and not being afraid to loose profit over it. It makes me want to go get ice cream.
Pretty cool, but whats the flavor?
I haven't been able to find Americone Dream anywhere in my area. :(
I'd totally eat this gay ice cream if I can find it.
lol who cares!! just eat it!!! :D
The slogan is really catchy!
"Now more than ever, Vermont is for lovers, and for lovers of marriage equality."
I think it's okay for company's to put on their opinion of social/political issues onto their products.
It goes along with freedom of speech.
If people dislike it, they don't have to buy it.
Wow...this makes me love Ben & Jerry's even more than I already do. That's officially the best ice cream ever in my book. And I haven't even tried it.
I love how they have no problem expressing their support for gay marriage through their products without fearing the public's (the anti-gay marriage public) response.
I
That is awesome, it does effect my opinion positively as well.
I think companies should be allowed to promote whatever the heck they want. However, they should also be prepared for any backlash they might receive because of this. You have to be able to "take it" if you can also "dish it out."
That said, I won't be buying Ben & Jerry's anytime soon. But that's just me and I'm entitled to my own opinions and beliefs.
Awesome! Ben and Jerry's seems more like an ice cream for young people, and surveys have shown that young people are more definitely accepting of gay marriage than older folks. A majority support same-sex marriage, actually. I think it might boost their business since they seem to be more successful with younger adults. It'd definitely make me choose them over some other ice cream manufacturer. =)
Freedom of Speech=Hell yeah for Ben and Jerry's!
@gatorgirl54@xanga - That's a good point about the younger generation being more accepting of gay marriages. Most of the nay-sayers I've encountered we're admittedly older. I think that distinction should give people more hope.
Kudos to B&J.
of course the starbucks and ben&jerry's examples are different.
and yes, it'll affect my purchasing of ben&jerry's.
i refuse to buy that particular flavor, because i'm not going to support that.
just an opinion.
I think they're a large enough company that even if those opposed to gay-marriage stopped supporting them, they'd still be successful. [:
Major Kudos to Ben & Jerry's!!!
They're a private company and, short of hate speech, can advertise whatever political or other messages they like on their products.
@ihearteileen@xanga - Just curious, will you stop buying just that flavour or all Ben&Jerry's stuff? Because if all the other people refusing to support this just buy other flavours, Ben&Jerry's doesn't lose out at all.
It's interesting; the first time I have heard of a company supporting such a controversial issue. Kudos to Ben and Jerry's, plus the name is catchy.
It's ice cream. Enough said. :)
@MangoWOW@xanga - Chubby hubby but they made it hubby hubby instead.
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I definitely plan on getting some, but wonder if i'll be able to find it in Texas.