It’s that time of year again. Winter is here, and everyone is getting into that holiday cheer. With all the different holidays coming up, we’re going to take a look into the American public’s favorite corporate, consumer holiday: Black Friday. The day where people wait outside in the cold for hours on end like the Pope is about to bless them, or it was finally announced that 2Pac isn’t actually dead. But instead of the Pope, and 2Pac, people are waiting for a new microwave.  Why? Why do we do this? As a community, shouldn’t we be less concerned about mass consumerism and the idea of a holiday focused on shopping taking over the time of year that we spend focused on being thankful? Clearly not.

Black Friday originated in 1961 in Philadelphia and in just a few years, Black Friday became the day in which most shopping is done in the year. Black Friday has become so popular that in states like California, state governments have recognized it as a federal holiday in lieu of another preexisting holiday. Black Friday has become a federal holiday in a total of twenty-four states. Almost half of the states in the nation recognize a holiday based solely on consumerism as a federal holiday. It’s sad that there exists a society where buying discounted electronics is more important than spending time with their family and giving thanks.

The deals are so good though! A 32 in. LED HD television for only $100.00! That’s what the American Dream is about! Most of these companies have sales leading all the way to Christmas though. Not to mention that Cyber Monday and Cyber Week have become a big deal in the past couple of years. You can order Xbox’s online from the comfort of your own home, without ever having to leave your family. Black Friday is not the only day to buy electronics and kitchen supplies on sale, so what’s the point?

Plus, is it really worth the possibility of dying? Seven people have died because of Black Friday, with one of the deaths being cause by a stampede of midnight shoppers crushing a Wal-Mart employee. That is seven too many. There have been more casualties due to Black Friday shopping since 2008 than during the Kent State Massacre of 1970. That’s not counting all of the people who have been injured shopping.  If you have any more concerns about Black Friday, just visit www.blackfridaysucks.com. Because Black Friday makes so many negative impacts, there’s a whole website dedicated just to it.

As a society, we have lost what this holiday season is really about. It’s pathetic that we deem midnight shopping and buying new things more important than spending time with our family. We should be taking the time out of our day to think about how lucky we are, not to pepper spray people over a Nikon camera. Should we endorse the mindless violence due to shopping? Should we encourage it?  We should be taking the holiday season to spend time with our family, and give thanks for how lucky we are in our lives. That is what the holiday season is all about.