Vermont ice cream giant Ben and Jerry’s has a long history of embracing progressive causes. It’s backed the World Wide Fund for Nature, donated profits toward peace-promoting activities, opposed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, stood with Occupy Wall Street, and even named a flavor after Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia. So no one should be shocked that Ben & Jerry’s announced its public support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.
Here’s a statement from Ben & Jerry’s website:
Why Black lives matter.
Black lives matter.
They matter because they are children, brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers.
They matter because the injustices they face steal from all of us — white people and people of color alike. They steal our very humanity.
Systemic and institutionalized racism are the defining civil rights and social justice issues of our time. We’ve come to understand that to be silent about the violence and threats to the lives and well-being of Black people is to be complicit in that violence and those threats.
Ben & Jerry’s decision to stand up against systemic racism shouldn’t be a controversial move, but given the vast right-wing opposition to BLM, the company may lose customers for taking sides. A recent poll found that only 20 percent of Republicans support BLM versus 64 percent of Democrats. Knowing that it may have kicked the hornet’s nest by taking sides on a sensitive issue, the company urges people to keep open minds and hearts about the movement. “Change happens when people are willing to listen and hear the struggles of their neighbor, putting aside preconceived notions and truly seeking to understand and grow,” the company said in a statement. “We’ll be working hard on that, and ask you to as well.”
Anyone who has a problem with Ben & Jerry’s support for BLM needs to watch this guy:
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.