Vermont’s gift to the world is undoubtedly their renowned Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. With a diverse line-up ranging from “Caramel Hat Trick” (a Canadian favourite) to “Chunky Monkey,” Ben & Jerry’s isn’t shy about experimenting with new and exciting combinations.
Recently, their franchise near Harvard churned out a limited-edition flavour in honour of an alumnus who is taking the basketball world by storm: Jeremy Lin. “Taste the Lin-Sanity” seems absolutely delectable. It’s a vanilla-flavored frozen yogurt with swirls of sweet lychee honey and pieces of crunchy fortune cookie. A desert truly fit for a drooling Homer Simpson moment.
Well, you can’t have it. Unless, of course, you are willing to settle for “Taste the Lin-Sanity” 2.0 which features waffle bits in lieu of fortune cookies. Personally, the switch to mainstream waffles is a deal breaker. Why would Ben & Jerry’s tinker with such a novel idea? Surely you didn’t buy their soggy cookie explanation. If they can successfully incorporate crispy waffle chunks and intact frozen cherries, fortune cookies shouldn’t pose much of a challenge.
It boils down to a minority perceiving the product as racist. If you haven’t made the connection yet, Jeremy Lin is an American of Taiwanese descent and the addition of fortune cookies was a reference to the rising superstar’s heritage. Some saw the ingredient as a gross generalization about Lin’s ethnicity. Consequently, B&J’s issued an apology and reconsidered the flavour due to increasing backlash. It was a savvy business decision by the ice cream company to avoid alienating potential customers.
It irks me that such an innocent, good-natured reference should garner so much negativity. Have we become that thin-skinned as a society? What Ben & Jerry’s should really be accused of is a horrible title—”Lin-Sanely Lychee” would have made for a far better name. While not inherently Chinese, fortune cookies are a staple item in Chinese restaurants across North America, and the fortune cookie was a clever substitute for the conventional waffle chunks they use in numerous flavours.
I agree that Jeremy Lin should not be subject to derogatory associations such as the infamous ESPN article title, “A Chink in the Armor.” References to his heritage that are both degrading and unncessary are what media has been recently decrying. One hopes that Lin can be recognized first for his basketball prowess, and not because of his nationality.
One has to wonder what the coverboy’s reaction is to all of this. Not once did Lin issue a statement regarding the controversy. Maybe it doesn’t bother him. I know I would be flattered if Ben & Jerry’s paid tribute to my Armenian heritage in the form of a unique ice cream flavor with crumbles of gata, a type of sweet bread.
Jeremy Lin is a remarkable story. Apart from his undeniable talent, his rise has a greater impact off the court. He is paving the way for other kids in America who have shied away from pursuing a career in basketball due to a severe underrepresentation of their race in the sport. Imagine the influx of incredible talent that NBA fans can be treated to with the emergence of these gifted players.
There’s a fine line between enforcing political correctness and a playful, tongue-in-cheek reference. Ben & Jerry’s was within the boundaries of the latter. Moreover, the manner in which they handled their criticism was both professional and prompt. I wish Jeremy Lin the very best and hope that his newfound stardom propels him to unforeseen heights. Everybody wants to profit off of “Lin-Sanity,” but please keep it tasteful.
—Hrant Bardakjian
