2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeConsumerism destroys holiday spirit
By Brian Lance
Posted: 12/3/08, 1:36 AM EST Section: Opinion
Ideals of holiday spirit like generosity and thanks and compassion disappeared after years of erosion on the day that has come to be known as Black Friday. Even financial hardship from the recession failed to hold back the power of consumerism, the true holiday spirit in America.
Nov. 28, 2008, was the darkest shade of Black Friday. Americans once again proved to the world that many of us stop at nothing to spend, cluttering our lives with the products of excess, like flat-screen TVs and dozens of other seasonal must-have items.
One man, Jdimytai Damour, 34, of Queens, N.Y., paid the ultimate price while working a temporary job that undoubtedly paid him little.
When the doors to the Valley Stream Wal-Mart on Long Island opened Black Friday, the waiting crowd of shoppers stormed into the store, trampling Damour to death. And for what? Nothing more than beating the next person in line to the best deals in the store. Sales are not worth lives. This is a disgusting display of greed forever blinding the greater virtues of holiday spirit.
Fiona Wu, freshman communications and political studies major from Brooklyn, N.Y., went out shopping on 34th Street on Black Friday. She braved Manhattan crowds, looking for all the deals advertised. But Wu was saddened by the Valley Stream incident.
"We're all so materialistic," Wu said. "We all want to go shopping and we don't really care as long as we get what we want. We haven't learned anything from the recession."
As the recession deepened during the past year, Americans began to cut back consumer spending in favor of saving and paying bills. Black Friday dredged up our old thirst for material goods, making it obvious to anyone who may have forgotten the holidays here are about buying. In true American fashion, consumers allowed themselves to be whipped into frenzy by corporate strategy, sending a message that big sales in tough times are all the justification they need. Let no one and no law stand between us and our coffee makers and game systems.
Nov. 28, 2008, was the darkest shade of Black Friday. Americans once again proved to the world that many of us stop at nothing to spend, cluttering our lives with the products of excess, like flat-screen TVs and dozens of other seasonal must-have items.
One man, Jdimytai Damour, 34, of Queens, N.Y., paid the ultimate price while working a temporary job that undoubtedly paid him little.
When the doors to the Valley Stream Wal-Mart on Long Island opened Black Friday, the waiting crowd of shoppers stormed into the store, trampling Damour to death. And for what? Nothing more than beating the next person in line to the best deals in the store. Sales are not worth lives. This is a disgusting display of greed forever blinding the greater virtues of holiday spirit.
Fiona Wu, freshman communications and political studies major from Brooklyn, N.Y., went out shopping on 34th Street on Black Friday. She braved Manhattan crowds, looking for all the deals advertised. But Wu was saddened by the Valley Stream incident.
"We're all so materialistic," Wu said. "We all want to go shopping and we don't really care as long as we get what we want. We haven't learned anything from the recession."
As the recession deepened during the past year, Americans began to cut back consumer spending in favor of saving and paying bills. Black Friday dredged up our old thirst for material goods, making it obvious to anyone who may have forgotten the holidays here are about buying. In true American fashion, consumers allowed themselves to be whipped into frenzy by corporate strategy, sending a message that big sales in tough times are all the justification they need. Let no one and no law stand between us and our coffee makers and game systems.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
nomadofthehills
John Vanek
posted 12/03/08 @ 10:32 AM EST
Without consumerism, there would be NO holiday season. Food for thought.
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