Black Friday blues
I know it's been almost a week, but Black Friday is still bugging me. Is this what it's come down to: hordes of marauding shoppers pillaging and killing in the name of materialism?
By now, you're probably familiar with the story of a 34 year old temporary Wal-Mart worker who was trampled to death by an out-of-control Black Friday mob in Long Island.
With the economy in the tank, people losing their homes, demand at food banks growing, and unemployment rates going up, retailers would have you unload as much cash in one afternoon as you might normally spend in several months. But retail isn't solely to blame.
As a nation, collectively we have come to worship at the feet of the Almighty Dollar. We glorify those who have, and tend to forget those who have not. It's become part of our culture because we have come to accept it as appropriate.
During this holiday season, when many are suffering in this economic downturn, do you really need more things? Take a closer examination of yourself: is the happiness that a new electronic device brings more than just a temporary happiness until the next big thing comes along? Does money buy you happiness in the form of material goods? I doubt it. And lest you think me a hypocrite, I can freely admit that I, too, could be doing more for those who have less.
Shouldn't we all remember those who are less fortunate and give a little for our fellow human beings? That's the America I grew up believing in, and that's the America I believe Barack Obama is talking about when he talks about change. I believe it was Senator Paul Wellstone who once said that we all do better when we all do better. Let's do better.
By now, you're probably familiar with the story of a 34 year old temporary Wal-Mart worker who was trampled to death by an out-of-control Black Friday mob in Long Island.
Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time of reflection and gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon us. But over the years, American pop culture, with a lot of help from retailers, have glamorized the holiday as a time for unfettered greed and materialism. Even California's governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, got into the act with his 1996 movie, Jingle All the Way.Roughly 2,000 people gathered outside the Wal-Mart's doors in the predawn darkness.
Chanting "push the doors in," the crowd pressed against the glass as the clock ticked down to the 5 a.m. opening.
Sensing catastrophe, nervous employees formed a human chain inside the entrance to slow down the mass of shoppers.
It didn't work.
The mob barreled in and overwhelmed workers.
[...]
Items on sale at the Wal-Mart store included a $798 Samsung 50-inch Plasma HDTV, a Bissel Compact Upright Vacuum for $28 and Men's Wrangler Tough Jeans for $8.
With the economy in the tank, people losing their homes, demand at food banks growing, and unemployment rates going up, retailers would have you unload as much cash in one afternoon as you might normally spend in several months. But retail isn't solely to blame.
As a nation, collectively we have come to worship at the feet of the Almighty Dollar. We glorify those who have, and tend to forget those who have not. It's become part of our culture because we have come to accept it as appropriate.
During this holiday season, when many are suffering in this economic downturn, do you really need more things? Take a closer examination of yourself: is the happiness that a new electronic device brings more than just a temporary happiness until the next big thing comes along? Does money buy you happiness in the form of material goods? I doubt it. And lest you think me a hypocrite, I can freely admit that I, too, could be doing more for those who have less.
Shouldn't we all remember those who are less fortunate and give a little for our fellow human beings? That's the America I grew up believing in, and that's the America I believe Barack Obama is talking about when he talks about change. I believe it was Senator Paul Wellstone who once said that we all do better when we all do better. Let's do better.
# Posted by Ken Camp : 6:45 PM
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