http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/23/black-friday-deals_n_2179567.html?utm_hp_ref=money
It seems strange that many Americans engage in Black Friday merely hours after they finish giving thanks for what they already have. While many Americans are disgusted by the savagery and "hypocrisy" that surrounds Black Friday, I see the consumer holiday for what it is intended: A day to buy things really, really cheaply for your loved ones.
Sure, the timing of the holiday is a little peculiar. However, the reason it is the day after Thanksgiving is because the day after Thanksgiving is the first day to begin celebrating and indulging in the Christmas spirit. Therefore, it makes sense to celebrate the start of Christmas holiday spirit by having an extreme Christmas shopping fiasco.
I don't think that Black Friday is truly meant to show the savagery and disgusting relationship humans have with things. Rather, I feel the holiday allows individuals to begin indulging in Christmas spirit by buying their loved ones things. As well, isn't it better that they are spending low amounts of money on gifts they would, eventually, have to get? And stimulating the economy at the same time? I'd say so.
And yes, it seems sad that the article states how it seems that money can buy you almost anything, including happiness. But I don't think that is the mindset of the shoppers. I feel the shoppers are just engaging in tradition that brings them their own sense of joy. As well, a bunch of the shoppers are there to give, not get. They buy for others, not themselves. The sales lure them in, yes, but because of the potential of gifts they see for their loved ones.
Tara Storm
I agree with what you're saying. I've heard the critical statements regarding the close proximity between Thanksgiving and Black Friday and the differing values of the days. Black Friday and the horror stories of overzealous shoppers trampling other customers or getting into fights is not what most Americans want to be represented by. However, what the day could and should stand for (a day to stimulate the economy,buygifts for loved ones, etc.) is representative of the ideal America. This can be related to the idea of American Exceptionalism. Americans view themselves as higher beings that display endless exceptional qualities, even if it always isn't true. Black Friday can be seen as a warm and giving day, even though in reality it many times isn't.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you are saying here. Black Friday seems like one of those traditions you either hate or love. I personally have never been Black Friday shopping, but all of my roommates came back from the break with bags and bags of things they had bought. They love Black Friday because it allows them to buy all the gifts they need, and even still have a little bit of money left over to get a few things for themselves. So it is nice to see that this day, which has been presented in the past as savage, as a day that allows you to buy things for loved ones.
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