Oakland Activist Creates Art for Ben & Jerry’s New Political Flavor

Vermont values ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s was welcomed to the resistance this week with the introduction of a new flavor: Pecan Resist. The limited-edition political pint — made with chocolate ice cream, white and dark fudge chunks, pecans, walnuts, fudge-covered almonds, and a dash of social justice — also offers a taste of Oakland artist and activist Favianna Rodriguez, whose colorful work graces the packaging.

“I believe in the power of stories, of narrative, so I was deeply interested in the story we were attempting to create,” Rodriguez said of her design in an interview with the company.

“I felt strongly that we should lead with messages that are about the world we want to see. This moment is about women, about including people of color, and immigrants, and Muslims, and fighting for the environment.”

Beyond focusing on women of color, Rodriguez’s package and its blue hues and earth tones are intended to convey an environmental message. Ben & Jerry’s has dedicated the flavor — and donated $25,000 each — to four organizations: Honor the Earth, the Women’s March, Neta, and Color Of Change, which is also based in Oakland.

Along with Rodriguez’s art, the Pecan Resist package reads: “We honor & stand with women, immigrants, people of color, & the millions of activists and allies who are courageously resisting the President’s attack on our values, humanity & environment.”

“I’m still feeling the joyful high from yesterday’s release of PeCan Resist,” Rodriguez wrote on her Instagram. “To see my art everywhere and to celebrate with my activist community was a true pleasure. I never dreamed this was possible so I’m sitting with this truth.”

• The Art of Pecan Resist: A Q&A with Favianna Rodriguez [Ben & Jerry’s]
• Oakland artist Favianna Rodriguez is the face behind Ben and Jerry’s new anti-Trump pint [Mercuery News]
• Favianna Rodriguez shop official]