Ben Cohen on Ben & Jerry's Board Drama and Brand Values

Conflict Over Ben & Jerry's Values

• 🎯 Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, expresses concern over the removal of three board members and alleges an attempt to dismantle the independent board.
• 💡 He states that the new owners, Magnum Ice Cream Company (owned by Unilever), are undermining the brand's values and social mission, turning it into "frozen mush."

Legal Action and Consumer Support

• ⚖️ The independent board has sued Unilever and Magnum over the alleged illegal dismantling of the board.
• 📣 A campaign, "Free Ben & Jerry's," has been launched, encouraging consumers to visit freebenandjerrys.com and use the hashtag #freebenandjerrys to show support.
• ✍️ Consumers are urged to send letters to the chairman of Magnum and use social media to voice their opinions on the situation.

Ben & Jerry's Social Mission

• ✊ Ben & Jerry's slogan, "justice in all its flavors," contrasts with Magnum's "life tastes better with ice cream," highlighting Ben & Jerry's focus on social issues.
• 🌍 The brand actively supports racial justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, including Black History Month and Black Lives Matter.

Past Conflicts and Censorship

• ⚠️ A past conflict involved Ben & Jerry's decision to pull ice cream from occupied territories, which Unilever reversed due to pressure from the Israeli government, leading to a lawsuit and settlement.
• 🚫 Unilever and Magnum are accused of breaking the terms of that settlement and censoring the company's stances on issues like the conflict in Gaza, preventing calls for a ceasefire.

Perspectives on Antisemitism

• ✡️ Ben Cohen, who is Jewish, believes Israel has a right to exist but not to "slaughter people."
• 🗣️ He suggests that Israel's actions may be fermenting antisemitism and draws parallels between historical scapegoating of Jews and the current blaming of immigrants.
• ❤️ Cohen emphasizes the importance of treating people based on character, not religion or ethnicity, echoing Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy and the idea of "What Would Jesus Do?" focusing on kindness and consideration.