The most anticipated shopping day of the year is almost here.
Black Friday, a day when retailers slash prices on some of their most popular items, has seemingly become more and more popular in recent years.
Retail giants like Macy’s and Best Buy announced they will begin offering their “Black Friday” deals on Thanksgiving day.
Best Buy stores will open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving while Macy’s will open its stores two hours later.
While the deals on Black Friday may be worth reading about in advertisements or discussing with friends, it’s easy to see that Black Friday has enhanced America’s obsession with money.
Instead of spending the day with loved ones, millions of Americans will undoubtedly choose to shop.
For Americans seeking a good deal, the expansion of Black Friday sales will undoubtedly bring joy.
Eager shoppers who purchase Christmas gifts on Black Friday will defend the shopping day. For them, Black Friday allows them to save hundreds of dollars.
For others who feel that holidays like Thanksgiving should be reserved for spending time with family, however, the announcement of earlier store opening times is loathed.
According to ABC News, the term “Black Friday” was first used by the City of Philadelphia Police Department in 1966.
The term was used by police to describe the traffic jams and shoplifting associated with the popular shopping day, according to ABC News.
Forty-two years after “Black Friday” was given its infamous name, a New York Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death by surging crowds that were trying to get into the store, according to the New York Times.
The employee’s death, which sparked national outrage in 2008, is an example of how dangerous shopping on Black Friday can be.
Why should Americans support a shopping day that leads people to behave in such an irresponsible way?
It’s not like giant retailers are opening their doors out of kindness.
When more customers shop on Black Friday, corporations receive more profits.
Instead of buying into and supporting such a fake, useless holiday, Americans should protest by not shopping on Black Friday.
By doing this, corporations will undoubtedly get the message that making money isn’t everything.
It’s one thing to offer great deals a few days after a major holiday.
It’s another to tempt prospective shoppers to buy Christmas gifts on a holiday once reserved for family time.
Enough is enough. Get rid of Black Friday once and for all.
Shane Newell is a junior journalism major and the opinions editor at the Daily 49er.