After publishing a contentious Fourth of July article, Ben & Jerry’s received criticism for allegedly disparaging American history and the treatment of Native Americans at the time of the country’s establishment.
“This 4th of July, it’s high time we recognize that the US exists on stolen Indigenous land and commit to returning it. Learn more and take action now,” the ice cream business made this claim while including a link to a website with selectively chosen historical information that downplays the reality that Native American tribes have their own bloody past.
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The Land Back movement, which seeks to create tribal territory based on historical claims, has the active support of Ben & Jerry’s and ultimately poses a threat to the federal government of the United States.
“Why are we talking about this? Because on the Fourth of July many people in the US celebrate liberty and independence—our country’s and our own,” they said.
“But what is the meaning of Independence Day for those whose land this country stole, those who were murdered and forced with brutal violence onto reservations, those who were pushed from their holy places and denied their freedom?” the company continued. “The faces on Mount Rushmore are the faces of men who actively worked to destroy Indigenous cultures and ways of life, to deny Indigenous people their basic rights.”
Four revered American presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln—are being dishonored by Ben & Jerry’s.
“The Indigenous-led Land Back movement(Opens in new window) is all about restoring the rights and freedoms of Indigenous people,” they added. “It’s about dismantling white supremacy and systems of oppression and ensuring that Indigenous people can again govern the land their communities called home for thousands of years.”
The United States has a history of upholding freedom, as envisioned by the Founders, and has welcomed innumerable immigrants seeking freedom throughout the centuries, thus explaining Ben & Jerry’s position on “white supremacy” is vital.
“The US exists on stolen land. We have to acknowledge that—today and every day,” they added. “In the case of Mount Rushmore, the Supreme Court already did! This Fourth of July, it’s time to return that sacred place to the Lakota(Opens in new window). Let’s make it a day that embraces freedom and justice for all.”
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However, the corporate headquarters of Ben & Jerry’s are situated on lands that were illegally taken from Native Americans.
A Native American tribe that originally controlled the land in Vermont that Ben & Jerry’s headquarters is located on wants land returned to them after the company publicly called for “stolen” lands to be returned,” Ari Ingel of Newsweek noted.
The Abenaki people’s demand that Ben & Jerry’s give them back the “stolen” lands has gathered strength as pundits have added a humorous spin to their demands.
Ashley St. Clair, a political analyst, finds the hypocrisy amusing.
“This is beautiful,” one user remarked. “Put up or shut up.”
With a loss of approximately $2 billion, Unilever, the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s, experienced a significant decline in market value. The fall happened after a boycott movement against the well-known ice cream company developed in response to a tweet from Ben & Jerry’s on July 4th criticizing the US for being founded on “stolen Indigenous land.”
Put your money where your mouth is.Return everything to them.
Once again a company solely based on profit making decides they have had enough of America’s generous business and instead figures committing business suicide is better. I hoped most business took a lesson from Budweiser and Target but apparently they want to make political statements than money. I for one will never spend another red cent with Ben and Jerry’s. Nice knowing you