We all know the day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday. A day where people literally fight over discounted items a day after we gave thanks for things we already have. These two holidays that are back-to-back are polar opposites of each other. One advocating thanks for what we have, and the other advocating greed. It's interesting how this "holiday" has become ingrained into our culture, and how we participate in it every year, although we know of the negative impacts that it has on both a cultural level, and a personal level (mainly injuries). It's similar to the lawn people who use pesticides even though they are aware of the risks they entail. Walmart spokesperson Dianna Gee said it best, "No amount of merchandise is worth someones life."
Link to an article talking about the "highlights" of Black Friday 2012: http://sourcefednews.com/black-friday-2012-the-highlights/
Very interesting and relevant post. People fighting so that they can buy a product supports the claim that America really is a consumer culture. People rely on material things so much that they would physically harm someone to own them. I agree how it is strange that this is right after thanksgiving. The stores even open on thanksgiving so black Friday will eventually consume Thanksgiving all together.
ReplyDeleteI believe this relates to the idea of American Exceptionalism because Americans are constantly wanting to improve themselves/their lives. Black Friday just another reason for people to overspend out of their budget to get something they've been wanting for a while because it's at a "discounted" price. Honestly, I feel like I only attended Black Friday this year was because it has become a tradition for me. I didn't really have anything in mind to buy, but I still ended up buying things that wasn't a necessity, but just an item that I wanted. I agree that attending this event may be seen as negative due to people fighting and scrambling over something that they don't necessarily need, but just want to have in order to upgrade their lives.
ReplyDeleteIt also relates, I think, more to the American Dream. Nowadays, part of the "dream" is to own as much stuff as possible while paying as little as possible. Deals are what drives shoppers. The fact that Black Friday comes right after Thanksgiving, a day when we are supposed to be grateful for what we have, is extremely ironic.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem ironic having Black Friday after a day where we are thankful for what we have. I also agree with how this can be related with the American Dream, like mentioned in the previous comment. Americans are always trying to satisfy themselves with materials in order to feel happy.
ReplyDeleteThere's probably also some hegemony at work despite the lack of political involvement in this "holiday". Even though Black Friday is not an official holiday, businesses continued to traditionally offer the incentive of "jaw-dropping" deals. Eventually, after a good number of these cycles eventually, Black Friday was just accepted as a holiday celebrated with Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, it seems that shoppers would rather pay the amount of savings they pay in cash with blood on Black Friday.
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