On July 4, Ben & Jerry’s drew a line in the sand, speaking on American patriotism and demanding that the United States hand up the centuries-old stolen property. The renowned ice cream company, which has grown more political over the years, issued a provocative statement on Tuesday in honor of the festival, which, unavoidably, infuriated roughly half the country given the context.
The company stated, “The United States was founded on stolen indigenous land. This Fourth of July, let’s commit to returning it.” Ben & Jerry’s website continued, “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.”
While people online criticized the company for its position, and others accused the brand of betraying the nation for promoting what they saw to be anti-American beliefs on what some would say is the most important national holiday intended to celebrate America.
The holiday doesn’t mark the true independence of all Americans, as we recently celebrated Juneteenth on June 19th. A day commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. While others may feel it was an anti-American statement made by the company, the company might not feel any backlash from the people in which the company was simply speaking on their behalf.
