End Black Friday
November 28, 2008
It wouldn't be the day after Thanksgiving if I didn't have something to say about the institution of consumerism in America. In 2006 I pointed out the irony of how we act on Thanksgiving verses how we act only hours later on Black Friday; last year I blogged about some minor injuries that people endured, some fistfights, and scuffles with police over the purchases of trivial items.. This year, I was planning to find some footage of people acting like animals and poking fun of it here on Extraordinary Observations. When I logged on to YouTube this morning, however, I found something more sad and disturbing than I have ever seen before.
What happened this morning on Long Island is tragic, and it should never happen again. 364 days of the year we can function as a society without this type of violence and savage behavior at retail stores. Only on Black Friday are we not only given the opportunity, but also in some ways expected, to act this way. Why do retail stores need to open at 4am? Why do they encourage people to line up outside all night to run through the store like rats when the doors open? Does this tradition really boost a store's profits by that much?
We don't need this. Black Friday needs to end. The holiday retail season can still exist without the need to encourage people to push and shove to be the first through the doors on the day after Thanksgiving. Out of respect for Jesus Christ (who is the reason we even have Christmas) let's abandon this terrible tradition.
Update (3:50pm) - Over on the west coast, two people are dead after a shooting inside a Toys R Us in Palm Desert, California; bringing 2008's Black Friday casualties up to 3. Honestly, what is the value of saving a few bucks?
What happened this morning on Long Island is tragic, and it should never happen again. 364 days of the year we can function as a society without this type of violence and savage behavior at retail stores. Only on Black Friday are we not only given the opportunity, but also in some ways expected, to act this way. Why do retail stores need to open at 4am? Why do they encourage people to line up outside all night to run through the store like rats when the doors open? Does this tradition really boost a store's profits by that much?
We don't need this. Black Friday needs to end. The holiday retail season can still exist without the need to encourage people to push and shove to be the first through the doors on the day after Thanksgiving. Out of respect for Jesus Christ (who is the reason we even have Christmas) let's abandon this terrible tradition.
Update (3:50pm) - Over on the west coast, two people are dead after a shooting inside a Toys R Us in Palm Desert, California; bringing 2008's Black Friday casualties up to 3. Honestly, what is the value of saving a few bucks?
How awful!
Yes, today is insane. Absolutely insane.
Consumerism is out of control in America. It's a little scary, really.
it's awful, needless consumer hysteria. your post is spot on - "The holiday retail season can still exist without the need to encourage people to push and shove to be the first through the doors..." - totally agree. this season should be about family and love, not about greed.
I've been astonished for the past few years that such an event even exists. How shallow and desperate can you be?