Control consumerism, commit to sacrificial giving
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The first thing I saw on Nov. 25 while reading through my Facebook newsfeed was the announcements of crazy sales, great deals, cold and long lines all due to the event we call Black Friday. Although one shopping spree a year may seem harmless in an individual life, the effect of an entire nation shows the degraded moral obligation of society.
The original purpose of Black Friday was to create a day for great deals on Christmas presents. Slowly the presents turned into things for everyday life. I fall into this category as I arrived at Target as 1 a.m. to purchase, yes I'm a nerd, a USB drive for the deal of $2.99. Was I going to wait a month to open it, when the need for it might be diminished? Of course not. I opened it the next morning and stuck it in my backpack.
Though something as simple as that might seem innocent, what has it done to America as a whole? We have become savages, who pepper spray and trample people just so we can buy gifts for ourselves. As Andrew Leonard said on the Salon, -its insane.--
In America it's quite sad that more people place consumerism before citizenship. Black Friday rallies more people than poles do during voting. Why are people simply more motivated for the hectic sales than for the future of our country?
I think that people lack consideration that the growing of Black Friday is also the growth of selfish, greedy buyers in America. -Black Friday is no longer simply an exercise in selfishness, greed, and bad taste. It has become a human rights issue,-- wrote Lee Siegel on The Daily Beast. He argues that America has become controlled, with our minds twisted into thinking that spending money is the only way to happiness.
When Michael Cornelius stated that he wanted to see people rallied up for a good cause rather than gift shopping on The Arizona Republic, it began a domino of thoughts. What if people were rallied up to bring in canned foods for the homeless, to donate money to the needy, or to mentor kids without real parents? The difference we could make would be enormous among a world of hungry, needing, and poor people.
This day, though, good for the economy and for the Christmas shoppers is the kind of moral we need to have on issues of greater importance. If this amount of money and effort directly coordinated towards helping others, America could change lives.
For more columns, read the Nov. 29 article, Service as part of our mission.
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Posted by "Jason Kim" on December 6, 2011 at 1:02 a.m.
I feel like money is controlling us rather than us controlling the money. It is such a shame to have endless greed in our minds
Posted by "Debbie Fries" on December 6, 2011 at 1:02 a.m.
I am guilty of Black Friday madness, not to the point of injuring others of course, but I still go. I think it would be amazing to get that many people involved in something like a canned food drive, maybe everyone brings 2 cans to each store they visit. There are a lot of people and that would be a lot of cans! Something to think about. Great article!
Posted by "Daniel Moore" on December 5, 2011 at 1:02 a.m.
Good article, Tynin. Nice use of quotes to reinforce your point.
Posted by "Tyler Laird" on December 5, 2011 at 1:02 a.m.
Nice article. I found it interesting that more people go to Black Friday than to the polls each year.
Posted by "Rayna Endicott" on December 5, 2011 at 1:02 a.m.
This is a great article, Tynin, and so well written. It is so true how crazy and greedy we can be now. I totally agree with your thoughts on this.
Posted by "Elora Hargis" on December 5, 2011 at 1:02 a.m.
I love the quotes that you added to this piece. The words of Lee Sigel made your key points very clear! Along with this beoing very clear and well written, it also has a greaat send off. It definetly got me thinking more about ways to serve the community!
Posted by "Emily shakeshaft" on December 5, 2011 at 1:02 a.m.
You are such a great writer! I look up to you in so many ways! Your opinion in this article is very strong and sturdy; I respect that :) keep up the good work!
Posted by "Sarah Lim" on December 2, 2011 at 1:02 a.m.
Wow, great article, Ty! I totally agree with everything you said in your article! Keep up the good work!
Posted by "Brie Winchell" on January 28, 2012 at 1:02 a.m.
Your article is fantastic. I have never been to a Black Friday sale but I am sure if it is as crazy as everyone says, I am probably not missing out on much.