A Canadian in the USA on Black Friday

We are spending American Thanksgiving in the USA this year while on holidays.  We even have a turkey to cook!  I see Americans who are truly thankful for what they have.  They are friendly and happy.  Then I see Black Friday commercials and ads everywhere.  In Canada we don't have Black Friday so I was pretty much unaware of what it was all about until this last week.  We looked it up on the Internet. 

Black Friday means the beginning of the Christmas rush.  Americans are busy with Thanksgiving but once Thanksgiving is over, the Christmas shopping begins.   As early as 1966 the Philadelphia Police Force were calling the first Friday after Thanksgiving Black Friday since it traditionally has been the start of Christmas shopping and more unruly behavior.  

On October 19, 1987, the Dow Jones fell by 22%.  This was called Black Monday.  On October 24th, 1929, Black Thursday marked the beginning of the Great Depression.   So Black Days have not been seen as a good thing in recent history.  Businesses wanted to change this negative connotation so they have coined the phrase Black Friday to refer to a "good thing"... starting off Christmas shopping with a bang.  Incomparable deals, and stores opening as early as 12:00am the morning of Black Friday. 

Walmarts have had some black marks on them due to their Black Friday sales.  Stores have had to evacuate because of unruly crowds, and a Walmart employee, despite his 6'5" 270lb frame, was asphyxiated by a trampling crowd.  !!!  Happy Black Friday everyone!

So on the heels of a happy Thanksgiving, (this year, a minute after Thanksgiving ends) where people have shared with loved ones what they have to be thankful for, the ugly storm of consumerism begins.  Forget being thankful for plenty of food to eat and a safe country to live in.  Lets get a big screen TV!  Want, want, want, seconds after Thanksgiving ends. 

This is very similar to Canada's Boxing Day sales.  Again, coming after a peaceful, happy holiday, turn on the consumerism and hit the sales!  Didn't get what you want for Christmas? Better go shopping again! 

Black Friday demonstrates all too well that we live in a society where our needs are well met so we start confusing our wants with our needs.  What do you need?  Really? 

There has been a backlash to Black Friday.  Occupy Black Friday is a movement urging people to avoid the top 100 retail stores who participate in Black Friday.  Small Business Saturday takes place the day after Black Friday and encourages people to shop local, small businesses to support our own economy.  You can also show your disdain for Black Friday by not shopping at all that day. 

Small business Saturday Logo

I am relieved to see there are Americans as horrified by this event as I am.  The event itself is disgusting, but when you really think about it, what difference is there during the rest of the pre-Christmas shopping period?  Will you take a stand on Black Friday?  Will you take a stand for the rest of your shopping time?  Shop local, small businesses this Saturday AND until Christmas Day.  Keep your money in your community. Support people you know, and people who will be supporting you.  This Christmas, buy your gifts from small, independently owned and operated businesses within your community.  Happy Thanksgiving Americans!  You have a beautiful country.