Every year, around this time, my thoughts turn toward home, family, and...the destructive potential of the American market economy. As Americans, we are expected to gather around our tables, give thanks to whatever higher power we may believe in, and enjoy the fruits of another year's harvest together with our families. Then, the day after, we are expected to make a pilgrimage together to a mall, or Wal-Mart, or some other Temple to Cheap Consumer Goods, and pay homage to another god. And every year there is at least one news report of devotees to the dollar trampling one another in the early morning rush to buy.
So, every year, I feel the need to take a step back for a moment and consider what effect my own purchasing habits have on the rest of the world. Certainly, I'm not trampling anyone to grab a coffee at Starbuck's. Nor am I kneeling at the CD racks within the hallowed halls of any capitalist temple by downloading an album on iTunes. In fact, most "Black Fridays" I don't even leave the house. Sometimes, I count myself among the few participants in the annual social protest event known as "Buy Nothing Day." The Buy Nothing Day website calls for a "24-hour moratorium on consumer spending." I can do that. I'd rather not be at the mall on Black Friday anyway. I'm more than happy to sit at home, watch some football, and feast on leftovers.
But, every year I wonder...is this really an effective form of protest? Would it, in reality, be better for me to go out and spend a few bucks for the people who have to work on the day after Thanksgiving in order to afford a decent holiday season? Is my ability to stay at home and comfortably enjoy a hot turkey sandwich and a football game really just symptomatic of the degree to which I am immersed in our consumer culture? Another blog post I found on a fashion blog site through Google makes a similar point. These bloggers suggest that "there needs to be a more sound concept where everyone could bind together and help causes instead of hinder businesses."
Is Buy Nothing Day an effective form of protest? Is Black Friday even a day worth protesting about? Are there other, "more sound concepts" out there for one who is critical of consumer culture, but also skeptical of forms of protest that seem a bit too "easy"?
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13 comments:
I do not feel as though Buy Nothing Day is an effective form of protest. There are too many people that go out on Black Friday for this cause to have any effect on the American market. I agree that America is a country that is very materialistic and overspends, but I see nothing wrong with Black Friday. People need to take it upon themselves to make wise financial decissions and not overspend. Some families do not have as much money so getting up early to go shopping is a nice way for them to give the gifts their kids want without as heavy of a financial burden. As much as we hate to admit it, kids expect presents from Santa underneath their Christmas trees on Christmas morning. I see no problem in going out on Black Friday to get the best deals you can. If you do not want to have the stress of going out on Black Friday, then stay home and avoid the rush. I don't think that people should protest this day, they just should not take part if they don't want to.
I also agree that Buy Nothing Day is not an effective form of protest. I believe that Black Friday is a great day to find the best deals available. If you do not agree with Black Friday, or get stressed out, you should simply stay at your house and not participate on the day.
I feel that Buy Nothing Day is an effective way of protest, but i dont feel there is a need for it. There is no need to protest Black Friday. There is no harm in going shopping to save money.
I don't think there really is anyting to protest about. If you want to stay home, then stay home. If you want to go shopping, then go shopping. Those people are going to have to work regardless of whether it's the day after Thanksgiving or not.
I don't think Buy Nothing Day would be very effective. If people want to buy presents they are going to buy presents. I also dont think that people should feel they have to go buy stuff because of the people that have to work on Black Friday. After all, they are going to get paid whether there are customers or not. Basically if someone wants to shop on Black Friday then go for it, but if you want to sit it out, I dont see a problem with that either.
I don't think Buy Nothing Day is a good protest. People are going to spend their money eventually so there's no need to protest. If they want to go out and shop let them. No matter how many people go out the employee's are still going to have to work. I used to work retail and there were somedays it was really busy and others when it was completly dead. The managers don't care you can always find something to do.
I dont believe that buy nothing day would be an effective protest. Though people are utilizing black friday to sell goods at a sale price to attract more consumers I believe that there is nothing wrong when the consumers are spending money on this day to buy gifts for their families as well as for themselves. I myself dont go to black friday sales only becuase they dont interest me but I also dont see anythign worth protesting about.
I do not think that Buy Nothing Day is an effective form of protest. The majority of people would like to buy presents and be able to save at least some money; a few protesters will scarcely make a difference. It is not surprising that people want to do this, and if they do, then let them. If you do not feel like getting up at 4 AM, then simply don't.
Personally I hate shopping. So whether it's Black-Friday or not, I would rather stay at home and not go shopping. I find it somewhat rediculous for people to wake up at 4 in the morning jus tto be the first ones in line. But there are diedicated people who want to be the first in line and get what they want at the best prices. I guess certain situations it's understandable, but personally I would rather be the one sitting at home as well feasting on left overs and watching a game on tv.
I believe that black friday is a great day to get a lot of Christmas shopping done and for a cheaper price people who like to protest sales must have a lot of money and wish to give more of it up at a later date.
who honestly cares if somebody decides to protest black friday i personally went and saved myself a lot of money. I just dont see the point in protesting it
I don't mind black friday because there's a lot of sales and I like getting good deal. Although I don't agree with getting up at four in the morning just to go shopping with all the other crazies and fighting got material goods. It's kind of like the greedy person's holiday.
To start i have to say I personally ave never heard of Buy Nothing Day. If BND is something that will help out our country then i think it should be promoted more. For people like me who have not heard or it or dont know people who participate, there is no influence on me to participate. On the other hand I think Black Friday is ridiculous but i have no problem with it, i just wouldn't participate.
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